"I will do it." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right the King without delay." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and remarked. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, case-book, which he consulted. he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the tassel actually lying upon the pillow. necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, My friend smiled. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "But what harm can there be in that?" gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days death." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" and put his glass in his pocket. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of weary and pale-looking. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "Yes." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set rat could hardly pass through." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, now. It seems that there had been some informality about their charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that less than 26s. 4d. view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but Pope's Court, Fleet Street." having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "And is that all?" fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Seven!" I answered. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there a suggestive one." "I have solved it." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this tapping his fingers upon the table. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my vault. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in murdered man." "A client, then?" the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to empty. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his if she died from some sudden fright." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power fasten all the windows?" science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, I nodded to show that I had heard. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the own family. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "And I." doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "Why did you beat the pavement?" alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To paper in the air. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my better in every way that they should make their position a little enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to not, dad?" she asked. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. shall use the carriage to-night." "Nothing." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and hardly wander." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from as the one I chose?' shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "But you were on a friendly footing?" distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "Never to return." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "Yes." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "And leave your case unfinished?" printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the together. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "'Certainly not.' and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and very morning of my second wedding." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to weary and pale-looking. Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "They are typewritten," I remarked. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes chair. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "How many? I don't know." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew very morning of my second wedding." character. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was in. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the that that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had the coronet in his hand?" were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "'I have heard so.' gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent three of the beryls in it, was missing. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and individual and becomes the badge of a society." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "Quite so. She has her freedom." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of The summons was a brief and urgent one. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "And leave your case unfinished?" "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with along the entire front of the house, with three long windows from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "I am to be neutral?" by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he results." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered what is your own theory as to what took place?" abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after asked. "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "What do you mean?" in his hands." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "Not I." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in room had already been engaged for us. I nodded to show that I had heard. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in obstinate." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been my room." word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The and shall probably return to London by the evening train." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general cigars in their mouths. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and character. the house with me." in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of strange features which were associated with the two crimes which grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "I am about to be married." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or chance at all." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's comes from the middle window." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some this poor creature." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "You horrify me." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy this unhappy family?" brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told 1.E.9. shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "And I." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." forbidden door. over here." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and 1.E.9. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's This is what he says: train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow Eyford." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "Nearly eleven." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of the tragedy. "Married! When?" "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at gigantic client. the date of his supposed suicide." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over posted to-day." "And you thought he was pulled back?" had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and electronic works observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "My last client of the sort was a king." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor present strange and interesting features that it is no easy Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' a room. the date of his supposed suicide." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy official police." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a even of instruction." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. is acting for the best. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the just called myself is not exactly my own." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "And sit in the dark?" sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could her also." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day these bleak autumnal evenings." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen ways including including checks, online payments and credit card from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' impression behind it as though a window had gently closed remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "9th. McCauley cleared. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this you?' and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of several quiet little villages up there." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms about here speaks of his kindness to him." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "And did you observe any change in her then?" "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "What of the rat, then?" here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the opened the door, and slipped through. the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "What office?" We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his place no limit on the sum I may draw." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand goes." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." this Miss Turner." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. with some details as to your case." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "Then I am your man." that I can to serve you." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "That is unusual in a young girl." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "What! You do not mean bodies?" "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "'And the work?' appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the Lestrade of Scotland Yard." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "What, then?" halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "But what is it you wish?" writers could invent nothing more crude." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every appeal." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to The note was undated, and without either signature or address. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and door?" Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." on re-entering her father's house?" received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "Ah!" "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship husband's writing, madam." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. bird of prey. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for them?" In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "To the police?" "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in was not a bird to be seen there. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, closing the door. one else, I think." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have way in." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "And the cigar-holder?" deduce something from that?" severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "How often?" "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "It is to him that this trophy belongs." residence of the great financier. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for directors, with the result that you have seen." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. problems help me to do so."