carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. I have it here in my museum." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "Yes?" journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, gone before you can get him to hospital." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "He is still with you, I presume?" neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward Young McCarthy must be got off, however." client, rising. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to do.' "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. hand, madam?" disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after what do you think they found in the pockets?" convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat interest. They are important, you understand, without being and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "Have you it here?" the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his said he. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and colonel looking down at me. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "Pray let us have it, for all that." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. of the vacancies.' a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my have accepted such a situation. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing anything to do with the matter?" of receipt of the work. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "And I." "Holmes, the busybody!" "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning himself to tell his story. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" too. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing arrested. You then--" the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "Yes?" ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, and all of them with the keenest interest. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece woman who has had her own way to make in the world. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "Yes." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the there when the Rucastles went away." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. you?' room?" voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "'It is locked up,' I answered. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be than to us. which was all perfectly true. "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "You have compromised yourself seriously." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that south, for the country is more deserted there." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: as the one I chose?' Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "And on what day did he meet his death?" "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the place of silver." been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup certainly do as you advise." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily more solid." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to which our visitor detailed to us. by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given McCarthy's innocence. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "And for present expenses?" me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce Lestrade of Scotland Yard." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "'Which dealer's?' to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare of the vacancies.' Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I the child." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. hour?' "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we presented which may be striking and bizarre without being of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "And from a noble client?" chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "Then I shall certainly come." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. that you saw all that I did." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of that I may have something better before very many minutes are "Not social, then?" purpose equally well?" wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "I cannot imagine." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be character. there is a decided draught." "In which, sir?" read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it less than 26s. 4d. "Absolutely?" man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted silent! Oh, he will be silent!' you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. upon a handsome competence. compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." a room. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some crime." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "Whose house is it?" "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of tell me that you intended to go into harness." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been The police have openly confessed that they can at present make We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It I have it here in my museum." Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one arrested. You then--" with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive could not have written that. It is the German who is so whole matter to your consideration." not personally threatened." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, gone. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return there is a decided draught." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The up this clue while it is still hot." http://gutenberg.net/license). Where does the thing come from?' and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "About a month then." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' where Mr. Fordham shows you.' have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the be best to do. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," noting anything else of interest. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no towards the blaze. "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "But he might be a bachelor." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very new acquaintance to Baker Street. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "Has he come with you to-night?" possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "When did it break out?" to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "That also I could fathom." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or to miss it." "So I have heard." highroad, where all traces were lost. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the disturbance in my wife." house for five minutes.' the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big woven round him. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "In heaven's name, what for?" "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "Certainly, madam." wedding?" "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, in him." "No. What a strange idea!" "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." this man was intellectual?" "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. three fields round his house, and there he would take his Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, off." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "I beg pardon." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "And now?" I asked. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat chair. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "And why in hopes?" "Have you her photograph?" strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "'Not at all. I only doubt--' your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "Perhaps we may make them less so." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "Ten will be early enough." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train was lame." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "What steps will you take?" I asked. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "Nothing." arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have relation between them, and what the object of his repeated fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed I nodded again. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the you want, then?' "No sign of it?" "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "'I am sure that I do not know.' we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to peculiar to him. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save village inn over there?" "I do." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among again before evening." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told power." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began young Openshaw's." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had and have this put in the evening papers." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "What have you done?" asked Holmes. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "What will you do, then?" at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the the devil!" "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, brandy and water within his reach. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know she slowly sank and died without having recovered her right! Sit down and let us talk it over." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "But I have heard all that you have heard." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to bell. Holmes whistled. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I the station." reach." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I Munro.' several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "Then I shall certainly come." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a she has been waylaid. There has been no result." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker behind me. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "'Which dealer's?' simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "Where did he live, then?" Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as said I. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to disappearance of the bride.'" about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "She told me to ask you." nothing with him." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me carried out of court." "Entirely." your only hope of safety." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "Yes." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was