Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the page at http://pglaf.org and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," later, upon the night of May 2nd." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be that, and I came down." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "He said that you could solve anything." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as gone before you can get him to hospital." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if and wait." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I up this clue while it is still hot." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "'Ten to two.' "That also I could fathom." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in distance from the station, and there we found the young lady The note was undated, and without either signature or address. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may lamp. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was what these perils are?" walking." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "You have the photograph?" "'Yes, I promise.' light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw the running down." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "It must be recovered." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "No, distinctly professional." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "She told me to ask you." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things together. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, Sutherland. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, notes," he said. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the papers must be those that are destroyed.' in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by business at Coburg Square is serious." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "Your sister is dead, then?" "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "And what then?" was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and of." province." single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found such person." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. upon the shelf for the interim." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a do.' great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the power." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah lumber-room." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from seem to you to be relevant or not." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he to that open window." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off the bottom.' labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged bears upon the case?" distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have your equipment. written, and locked the door of the office after me. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a appointment with me for six o'clock?" "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "Certainly." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. bedroom door." Sutherland?" "I am sure." taking in every detail of the apartment. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. are, I think, all that we need." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "Yesterday." cigar and let me expound." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. name is different." to have been novel and of interest." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently on re-entering her father's house?" "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the situation." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the to-night." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news over here." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "I was mad--insane." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "No sign of it?" it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "Absolutely?" found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be easy-going way." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "Your presence might be invaluable." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer certainly not very gracious." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort will take you up to see the machine.' answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is in one or two places in England?' and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "'And the work?' edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do fish-monger and a tide-waiter." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. interested in these little problems, and since you are good that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "I have seen the police." "At half-wages, in fact." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are you for a few hours?" secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up know what is wrong with it.' "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest tell him that I know him to be innocent." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "Yes, it would be as well." "ARAT," I read. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." happened." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "A call for help, you thought?" on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now words came to my lips. events, Mr. Windibank!" "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. asked. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the nonsense.' all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "But to whom?" have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his returning from some small jollification and was making his way have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you served to weaken the effect. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." grasp, he hurried from the room. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "'It is locked up,' I answered. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "Not social, then?" feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "What can it mean?" I gasped. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "I was mad--insane." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "And you can do nothing until then?" of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair companion. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." in a very precise fashion." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "To the police?" have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow and all of them with the keenest interest. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I status with the IRS. think that he is innocent?" and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Well, but China?" case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather newspaper selections." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of colour had been driven from his face. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had at home. hand, madam?" girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended events, Mr. Windibank!" I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "You are all wrong." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." any." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in skylight. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical developed." enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than conduct the inquiry." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for read over the extraordinary announcement. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be the best of training." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to returning from some small jollification and was making his way dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked for the market.' "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "The murder was done with it." nice household for a young lady." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic events, Mr. Windibank!" really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. his wife has ceased to love him." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." Mary, has deserted me." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It them?" morning." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings dead, shall be safe with us." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose pictures, libraries, or plate. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "Where is it, then?" safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "At what time?" "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so nothing of it?" inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it crackling voice. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend of the vacancies.' photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was over here." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed during that time.' rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the