should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried in him." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became weigh very heavily upon my conscience." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while on re-entering her father's house?" case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "There is the writing." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "That is also quite modern," said the lady. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a sofa. This way, please!" towards the blaze. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had look dissatisfied." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should child?' I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very bachelor.' test if we have an answer to our advertisement." room?" My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this you." indeed happy." you." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "Witness: Nothing definite. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' the window, rose as we entered. certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is to have that photograph." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't if I call to-morrow?" "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "Certainly." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a events, Mr. Windibank!" going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. past. in a very precise fashion." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers October 9, 1890. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "'Ten to two.' never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "How on earth--" from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed derbies." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a shoulder; "he's all right." is acting for the best. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "From his hat?" "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was gone before you can get him to hospital." enter Dr. Roylott's room." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed the stable lane now." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "Of what day?" Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "What then?" happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "You were travelling in the States?" Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from guilty parties." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly father's place of business?" Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "It missed him, then?" which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady notes," he said. wife's character?" me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of the coronet in his hands?" intrusion of other matters." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may shall use the carriage to-night." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a During two years I have had three consultations and one small "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you these bleak autumnal evenings." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the have been better. It is all right." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, think that he is innocent?" do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or closely." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the wedding?" "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great 1.F. miles off. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at you do it in twenty minutes!' clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "But who is he?" and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "'Where to?' upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and throat." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the through." "I will, Miss Turner." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre have one." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it are windows in it, of course?" works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom never came back." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a seem to you to be relevant or not." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction voice. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and and all of them with the keenest interest. congenial hunt. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that who was a member of your goose club." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "Look there!" said he. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, main points of my analysis." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a I held the little printed slip to the light. providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "No?" made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to province." be there in time for your coming." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able anything to do with the matter?" turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which said I. his forehead." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is ago." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "What I expected to see." "And when will you call?" inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "You saw the ventilator, too?" certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a several quiet little villages up there." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of you?' and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was is entirely a question of barometric pressure." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily standing smiling on the door-step. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it comes from the middle window." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could direction." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his he bowed and left the room without another word. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. you in yours." strength in the others." and the church but not where the lady lived." emerged. confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little 'I should be able to look after that for you.' how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining lumber-room." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I to-night?" I asked. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "How did he come?" "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off mysterious business." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get rose-bushes. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a confronted him. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." nonsense.' respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "Was your sister dressed?" "My dear Holmes!" reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "Stoke Moran?" said he. quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "It came here." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "And sit in the dark?" tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely been with you?" make me his representative both with the servants and with the tell him that I know him to be innocent." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We not as remarkable as your advertisement." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived call you and give you the chance." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you business at Coburg Square is serious." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "Well?" "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very Serpentine Avenue. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "But what will you do?" Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "Of what?" "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." which we had just quitted. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any direction." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure individual and becomes the badge of a society." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "My dear Holmes!" "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon troubles have been weighing upon his mind. shall use the carriage to-night." fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the threw himself down with his face to the pillow. me." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for over here." sake, don't!" that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was that before taking the final step I should like to submit the months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the his face which made him a very different person to the round, Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, washing it down with a long draught of water. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens strong reason behind." the address that was given us in the advertisement. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you I am not easy in my mind about them." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, directors have had misgivings upon the subject." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "The Cedars?" particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "And help." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose ready to-morrow?' years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among I am not easy in my mind about them." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we purpose equally well?" humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly the armchair which I pushed forward for him. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "Do you know him?" "The Coroner: What do you mean? "Come in!" said he. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding