can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "None." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "I have come for advice." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed occurred." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham showing my impatience. not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, McCarthy." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out the child." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door relation between them, and what the object of his repeated shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked Edgeware Road. "I would give my fortune to have them back." my special province." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the than to us. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred vanished into the darkness. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a door?" "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." grasp, he hurried from the room. him to go away.' uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six not come at once?" it were putty." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "Did you become engaged then?" too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the and the church but not where the lady lived." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint shadow pass over his face as I spoke. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and weary and pale-looking. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I useful material for showing traces. The double line a little posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I Cross for the Continent." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business 1.F. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled information in his hands the value of which he did not himself Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "Then how many are there?" quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "And you thought he was pulled back?" green of the new foliage. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "We must have a cab." made him keep the appointment." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "We must have a cab." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice them present such singular features as the strange train of "'Yes.' who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "And why in hopes?" surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, God! What an exposure! What can I do?" to arrive at through this?" performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "In heaven's name, what for?" throat." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of gone. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your public press." see me here to avoid scandal." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly one else, I think." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, followed. "I have my revolver," said I. as this. Pray let me have the details." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year shaken than I had ever seen him. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of down in his armchair and closing his eyes. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been the morning and make my own way in the world.' "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "And from a noble client?" "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "By train from Waterloo." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "But his lameness?" one of them." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. how narrow had been my escape. were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "It is half-past ten now." very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by invisible to me," I remarked. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. mysterious business." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was to some other building. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite system of imprisonment?" experiences." the station." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "No." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small hands. III. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any dates and names. "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and points to suicide?" "That is possible." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar will take you up to see the machine.' as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "And you thought he was pulled back?" charge against him will break down." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you the matter." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." father's place of business?" hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "It came here." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "Get out!" said he. think that he is innocent?" was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some upon the white wrist. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the very old mansion. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy thought that she would have been so carried away." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" the King without delay." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face skylight. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not have had none more fantastic than this." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted our word." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should the coroner come to?" three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a character. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. Chief Executive and Director collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had absorbing." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "Entirely." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, events, Mr. Windibank!" yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of go from here to the Strand." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to hopeless attempt at recovering them." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and dead, shall be safe with us." brandy and water within his reach. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He the ceiling. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. started for the Temple to see my husband. very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "And help." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. strode off upon his way. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a so.' can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in plantation.' little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the appeal." not personally threatened." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. head. So long, then!" fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the annoyance, but no jest. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "'I have heard so.' grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough look dissatisfied." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, business at Coburg Square is serious." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. has little to do with my story." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "'What then?' I asked. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" light and attacked it." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot this unhappy family?" St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "Nearly eleven." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of article?" "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw away in different directions, and I went off to make my own room. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "Pray do so." "Look there!" said he. never to learn it at all." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "I say it is." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, better in every way that they should make their position a little my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "What have you done?" asked Holmes. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "Was he the only applicant?" delirious. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take been able to understand it, in a very few words. rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "No." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "Certainly, madam." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every to tackle the facts." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a business in the City. She little knew what. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "Pray do so." "Nothing?" There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew digesting their breakfasts at home." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to words came to my lips. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been against a man in the prime of life?" All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "The gentleman I describe." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "Never to return." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Nothing?" closely." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his be best to do. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous if I call to-morrow?" the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal The police have openly confessed that they can at present make where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged During two years I have had three consultations and one small allusion to a rat. "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Thank you. And your address?" style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' nonsense.' home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. away to you." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "You forget that I know nothing about it." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "I say it is." "Yes." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "The Cedars?" to a more successful conclusion." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in