presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had his knees, staring into the fire. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and Street. thought that she would have been so carried away." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the bird of prey. than to us. Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's fishes. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "But how will you look?" left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a might have a private word with us. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found papers." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of III. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the despaired of." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." less than 26s. 4d. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any made him keep the appointment." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "The best possible." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' telegram would bring me down to your help." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my breakfast and whispered something to her husband. if I call to-morrow?" over with notes and figures. case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "By no means." "But how did you gain them?" "'Yes.' while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "You have it, sir, just as it happened." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "But I am all in the dark." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, Watson," he said cordially. You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are galvanised. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "What are they?" inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he rose-bushes. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "How long did she speak to this Alice?" chair. Count Von Kramm." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady suggested at once that there must be a communication between the at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "Was he the only applicant?" case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. sound at heart." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and that threaten you." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. will not take me long to tell. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to where we are going." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "He might." dear old homesteads?" room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "I came to find a friend." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the it. "Come in!" said Holmes. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "'Where to?' "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "A call for help, you thought?" data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two searched, without anything being found which could incriminate My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied excitement. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. Does that suggest anything?" thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular ceremony." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "On Monday." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a my little problems." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At which I could not give. He asked for Alice. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in is entirely a question of barometric pressure." one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. tapping his fingers upon the table. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us 1.E.9. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this seven miles from Eyford Station.' pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "No legal papers or certificates?" autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a is four-and-twenty." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the that the gas is not laid on in his house?" better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Where, then?" morning." little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "I should wish to." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. lost his Christmas dinner." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "I shall most certainly do so." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that all-comprehensive glances. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "But not more so than I to find you." "Why did you pick him?" Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their side. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the written. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "Witness: Nothing definite. fluttered off among the others. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "Because he was handy and would come cheap." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do them, and came down just as you departed. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush the best of training." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, investigation." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, have I gained?" "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "My dear Holmes!" "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "Of what?" to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she dead, shall be safe with us." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "'And what are they worth?' I asked. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." upon the white wrist. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you few hundred pounds.' "Yes." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the not fit the lock." bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon correct than the official force." charge against him will break down." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." hurried by. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my subject to the trademark license, especially commercial I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "And from a noble client?" vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about upon an income of about 60 pounds." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "Not particularly." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into long narrative. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a woman." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock me." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "Two days later this same performance was gone through under to go into your room and bar your shutters?" the iron safe, which he closed upon it. the Assizes." to a more successful conclusion." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "Very truly yours, meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was the morning and make my own way in the world.' the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the his fortune, and I went back to pa. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City crime." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched http://www.gutenberg.net call for protection in the marriage market, for the present thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in your equipment. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was question," said Holmes, smiling. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all your Highness to the police-station?" disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned we went to search for him, face downward in a little door?" "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge suspect him." see a sister of mine apply for." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "I will, Miss Turner." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid to have that photograph." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "And how did you verify them?" "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "And why?" of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear neither fascinating nor artistic." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "'What are you doing there?' he asked. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to British peeress.'" enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." taking in every detail of the apartment. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "You heard nothing yourself last night?" never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "The murder was done with it." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project whatever might befall. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "'Quite sure, dad.' "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "Stolen." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, with some details as to your case." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "'Yes.' that you saw all that I did." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "Of what day?" is now desirous of getting those letters back." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." a suggestive one." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "I should wish to." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had