"That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding character. He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, only touch the interest." bird I ate is country bred." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told unprofitable." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "'Never,' said I. forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a yards of it?' trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." cup of tea. "It is solved." "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "Here?" the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my excitement. strength of mind to control. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a Mary, has deserted me." "Yes." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" depend upon your compliance." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled papers." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments points to suicide?" young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, Munro.' characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, do." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of you in your example." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar geese which you supplied to the Alpha." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Yes, sir." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was that I may have something better before very many minutes are I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two where Mr. Fordham shows you.' we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the is so. I know all about McCarthy." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" and glanced through. did not hear it also.' "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to we went to search for him, face downward in a little "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which death." "And leave your case unfinished?" License. You must require such a user to return or Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the of the way of danger. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "She showed me, as I told you she would." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "The vanishing of the lady." status with the IRS. Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she was a lad." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission village inn over there?" simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door suggested at once that there must be a communication between the vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow where she found matters as described by the last witness. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "Ah!" himself. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly to change my dress. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard right! Sit down and let us talk it over." money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" it." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the present." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given sooner or later she must fall a victim. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir just ask you whether you had heard it.' use an arc-and-compass breastpin." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case works. See paragraph 1.E below. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. of Mr. Rucastle's." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I been anything against him. He had for years been known as a to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. that there was nothing in it, after all." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and companion. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards held up the lantern and gazed about him. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a other means.' of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to foot. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The was feeling which was the fattest.' into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "We were both in the photograph." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that most important business. It is probable that he will be away all with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "And why in hopes?" come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up do you make of it all?" low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the where we are going." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "Pray do so." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "Only as much as we can deduce." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a invisible to me," I remarked. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, in one or two places in England?' "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "Certainly." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he like gravel from a pit.' "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my to-night's adventure." he. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not me. "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." bird I ate is country bred." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "I never have." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "But what is it you wish?" mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in already been minutely examined." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' lost nothing by them." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "And how did he make his money?" It may be so in this case, also." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I own family. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This his grey eyes. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." mystery." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "What will you do, then?" at a side door. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three during which he might have communicated with his friend the copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "How are you getting on?" likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I following enigmatical notices: events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty horse could go." "And why?" the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of case-book, which he consulted. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "Yes, I have one waiting." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must get her out of the way." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. in a friendly supper." analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "Look there!" said he. as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an gone. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall little trying to do so much typewriting?" "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. province." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was noble correspondent could be. I think that I could be of assistance to you." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, bonnet, and went out." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian straightened it out again. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would to some other building. position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "But you have hopes?" Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from felt?" "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited read over the extraordinary announcement. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place intimate personal affairs in this public manner." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send went to the Alpha were town bred." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "Where is it, then?" "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of newspaper selections." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" Mary, has deserted me." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very Again Holmes raved in the air. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me garden below. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "'I have already given you my word.' "My dear Holmes!" were unconscious?" 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands round and wave him away like that.' not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "And sit in the dark?" "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "Well?" enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had mystery may be cleared along those lines." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "No." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "No, my brougham is waiting." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. coat-tails." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to ordinary clothes on?" Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his you give your casting vote to?" Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must floor. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to bill, which interests me deeply." "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "This photograph!" rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. business." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I of Mr. Rucastle's." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "Your sister is dead, then?" parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with jewels which you have stolen?' bonnet, and went out." appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him think, you have already met." legal crime." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not the matter." the station." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "'How far from the body?' lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow garden below. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. children over to America with him, so that I found myself without wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a problems help me to do so." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only just called myself is not exactly my own." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this