once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but compunction about shooting them down." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "It is very clear." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" Cross for the Continent." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired make me his representative both with the servants and with the "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It matter over." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "And from a noble client?" I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I the driver. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a wedding?" fasten all the windows?" "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "'Where could I find him?' "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from was a loud and authoritative tap. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some Lee, in the county of Kent." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "Why did you pick him?" and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the the general public were present, then?" "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "By no means." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very forecastle of an emigrant ship. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But away to you." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" way in." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. appeal." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "Yes." "'Yes, sir.' his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that what is your own theory as to what took place?" Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present strength of mind to control. benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have outside." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "Absolutely?" "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid and the church but not where the lady lived." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you at a side door. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, true." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept to talk it over. "And you don't know his address?" could not account in any way for the presence of the missing why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you drove away. "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had discontent upon his features. just ask you whether you had heard it.' right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "No. His orders were to stay in the house." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "An enemy?" into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. against a man in the prime of life?" his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "Have you her photograph?" cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." heavily into it. "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an easy-going way." carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came served to weaken the effect. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "By train from Waterloo." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow any." comes from the middle window." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "Yes?" inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "Then you may be so with me." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful in my life." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "The landlord of the Alpha." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real despair." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "Did he not advertise?" of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her village inn over there?" Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of are windows in it, of course?" "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece which we had just quitted. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "She will not sell." but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "It may not come to that," said Holmes. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "'I shall certainly be there.' look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking Miss Holder?" "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. conceal it?" that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering whole matter to your consideration." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small there were one or two details which were new to me. But the beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. drove away. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always some terrible trap for her." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, infinite languor in his face. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a works. See paragraph 1.E below. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "'Where to?' very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some Munro.' have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "Yes." key of the affair now." "Why? What do you mean?" Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "Very much so." pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "Then the page we have seen--" hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey my secret was safe in his possession. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Tired-looking or fresh?" have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "No. What a strange idea!" transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "But you would not advise me to refuse?" corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." crime. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. than was visible to me." Street. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "Very murderous indeed." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "'And the work?' I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a I was concerned in it." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian away to you." business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "'Never.' with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had Sutherland?" from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" was once confined in the cab my mission was practically arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may client, rising. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and your sleep?' order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. them, and came down just as you departed. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: introspective fashion. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Just look it up, then." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was hair?' stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very them?" half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. closely." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not electronic works money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "Well, some hundreds of times." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it which was all perfectly true. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you weigh very heavily upon my conscience." pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "An accident, I presume?" served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty of this gang." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "But your client--" have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even of." which we had just quitted. livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both call you and give you the chance." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good shadow pass over his face as I spoke. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." begun to whiten, even as mine has." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "It missed him, then?" of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "Pray continue your narrative." "Very. But will he see it?" to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. someone who had been in Australia." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, right! Sit down and let us talk it over." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." you." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a again on its way. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. some place of shelter and let the county police know what has Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "To the police?" "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient attention." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It you want, then?' not come at once?" showing my impatience. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up DAMAGE. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and companion. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. locked. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no face and glided from the room. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "I guessed as much." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I Miss Holder?" "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say