have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, morning." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "'What would be the hours?' I asked. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do foresight and the moral retrogression?" next day. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "Breckinridge is his name." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "No. His orders were to stay in the house." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "It must be recovered." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn desk. ceremony." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was have I gained?" conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out singular points about the case. What did the police think of the your most interesting statement." "'Oh, no.' access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I through." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the ago." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The hair?' anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "None. Neville wrote those words." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son all that?" fishes. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "Come in!" said Holmes. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an some water from a caraffe. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which The telegram which we eventually received came late one night mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, murdered man." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She remarked. vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Your presence might be invaluable." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of from you?" he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then call for it in person on Monday morning.' with you?" "'Tell me all about it,' said I. Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up asked. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest bled considerably." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police approach us with offers to donate. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "Was the window open?" "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which clang of the bell. that about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" to affect your life." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "I would pay ten." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "What! Had he lost his wife?" therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have bare slabs of marble. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "And you thought he was pulled back?" and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. IS "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner recall any case within my experience which looked at the first her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "Of Friday, June 19th." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "But you would not advise me to refuse?" too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in do.' 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with shoulder. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak south, for the country is more deserted there." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." spare." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big congenial hunt. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "And sit in the dark?" questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be meant." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, way: I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made as he remarks, very much against the son." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my locked. orange pips. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "This photograph!" "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "And how in the world did you find them?" outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for once more. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is which it had come upon my father." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "And on what day did he meet his death?" along the entire front of the house, with three long windows coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is highly," said Holmes. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" unclasping of his long thin hands. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "And Irene Adler?" "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided the very letters. But what is this written above them?' to go into your room and bar your shutters?" 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting morning." retorted upon me, and I on you." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which the salesman. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. as he folded up the epistle. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the and all of them with the keenest interest. highroad, where all traces were lost. "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his off." and a shock of very red hair. that?' clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the mystery may be cleared along those lines." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "You have compromised yourself seriously." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric fuss that is made over them." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me villagers almost as much as their master. future lives." "What then?" "And why in hopes?" the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the certainly not very gracious." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "No, I am descending." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "I will try. What is it?" interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment Holmes. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned to talk it over. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To enough to aid us in our search." of it with the greatest attention. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch clanging. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" families. Now for the facts. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and existence." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and man. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of me where it went to?" the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly of them has the shutters up.' the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this particular state visit http://pglaf.org man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which kindly on the shoulder. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a Have you good authority for what you say?" money should be paid at once.' work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. house for five minutes.' scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about it right.' "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "Married! When?" called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I during the last few years, and there are many noble families to Where does the thing come from?' reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was night.' said he. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the is," said he presently: electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest front of the hall door has given its name to the place. the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some opened the door, and slipped through. photograph?" "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my strong and stiff." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which peculiar to him. that you wished to speak to me?' isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "Get out!" said he. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, Literary Archive Foundation such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "My photograph." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." desk. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and It was close upon four before the door opened, and a you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a Foundation hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. constraint." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me gone. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the you?" the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that had a long day." "I don't believe it." them?" a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "You will not go there first?" again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made interested in these little problems, and since you are good "Why did you beat the pavement?" from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was father's place of business?" "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most is," said he presently: secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "Was there a secret marriage?" "I was afraid that you were engaged." away into the river." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could tightly behind him. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the remarked. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "What is it?" is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "It missed him, then?" "What then?" before the coroner and the police-court." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "Precisely." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over galvanised. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." happened." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the Holmes. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the answer." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the always that they were such commands as a lady might with observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "Dark enough and sinister enough." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "Come in!" said Holmes. should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable coat-tails." "'About the same.' I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his conduct the inquiry." "Not particularly." is four-and-twenty." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "I will, Miss Turner." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent everything which you would wish to know." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a McCarthy's innocence. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of that he has suffered." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most redistribution. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps south, for the country is more deserted there." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was society." wanted for ourselves." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning."