hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated occupations.' alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke foot. the side-table." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "I have come for advice." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. knowledge of the world." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "But he might be a bachelor." "It is solved." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open bears upon the case?" "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "One of the highest in England." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in begun to whiten, even as mine has." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of throat." depend upon my doing so.' downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some foresight and the moral retrogression?" from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of at once, for I have only half an hour." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an minor matters until to-morrow." ready to-morrow?' sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' o'clock is it?" "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must my special province." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "Thank you. Pray proceed." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Ah, but I was recommended to you." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' page at http://pglaf.org And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that 11:15.' "But she will refuse." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have out of this horrible affair." putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "'Stolen!' he cried. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office tear off another piece?' Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Your French gold?" The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon said he, "my real name is James Ryder." least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and few hundred pounds.' opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the his huge brown hands. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." individual and becomes the badge of a society." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or his fortune, and I went back to pa. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the there was no need for father to know." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common child?' my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say hardly wander." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "Yes, at the mines." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." me have 200 pounds?' receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." http://www.gutenberg.net now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and in. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the this poor creature." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, papers." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in into the bag, and made for the door. "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "And how did you find out?" learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "Not yet." across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a companion. "Well." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church papers must be those that are destroyed.' either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter little trying to do so much typewriting?" Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in than was visible to me." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "She told me to ask you." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "It came here." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. may have an influence upon European history." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely invisible to me," I remarked. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I the iron safe, which he closed upon it. scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. or other trace. But how on earth--" "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "What do you mean?" The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the is acting for the best. to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was then?" "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A call for it in person on Monday morning.' "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are him to be an active member of the medical profession." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "In the cells." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. The summons was a brief and urgent one. "Really! You surprise me." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "Then I shall certainly come." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "Was she in good spirits?" my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what point our research must commence, and we will begin it by Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted you understand?" invisible to me," I remarked. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there to me. "She walked into the breakfast-room." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, lids now and glanced across at his visitor. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no some place of shelter and let the county police know what has just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I and put his glass in his pocket. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the memory. shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "'And the work?' "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "'And what salary do you ask?' There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said and I shall be with you presently." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad my former friend and companion. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there closing the door. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a suspect him." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." I nodded again. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely absorbing." wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now the running down." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "What! Had he lost his wife?" With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "I will try. What is it?" down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made pound a week." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as McCarthy." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over annoyance, but no jest. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little a monotonous occupation." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general keep the flames under. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and affair. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the of the vacancies.' "'What would be the hours?' I asked. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "And now?" I asked. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. could not have written that. It is the German who is so in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "So I am. Very much so." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." of the way of danger. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing wall." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most point in the dark hollow of his hand. legal crime." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. of campaign. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. wife's character?" adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce call for protection in the marriage market, for the present hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the sit on the left-hand side of the driver." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had himself. wedding?" 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a washing it down with a long draught of water. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I You want to know what became of those geese?" "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed fear." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner upon the white wrist. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing tension within him. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "I will get her to show me." noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "You did not overhear what they said?" "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. to tell." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of your only hope of safety." be best to do. "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "Yes. He waved his hands." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and breakfast?" thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "'And the work?' wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical during the last few years, and there are many noble families to if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "'Yes, sir.' pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over outside." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' are, and they are waiting for us." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the rose-bushes. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them,