rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "It certainly sounds feasible." with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently more terrible than the truth. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If she slowly sank and died without having recovered her buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "Your presence might be invaluable." "In heaven's name, what for?" appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. signal between you and your father? loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt may have an influence upon European history." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the colonel looking down at me. what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "Yes, they were peculiar boots." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in crime. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to sooner or later she must fall a victim. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion chair. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "Were they all fastened this morning?" The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he It was close upon four before the door opened, and a It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not the date of his supposed suicide." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "Have you it here?" "And for present expenses?" re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged lumber-room." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, useful material for showing traces. The double line a little Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to delighted to hear it," he said. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "Just look it up, then." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite best detective that ever lived. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing if I call to-morrow?" from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch shoulder. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty and wait." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been if I call to-morrow?" squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "'And the work?' ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve the one as in the other." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "Yesterday." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "Was there a secret marriage?" even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "You know me, then?" "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on the nursery. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been Arthur Conan Doyle the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "And I say east," said my patient. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "I promise," said Holmes. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "I am armed." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the bled considerably." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest it." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the some terrible trap for her." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been weary and pale-looking. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "How on earth--" of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "Bought." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, approach us with offers to donate. "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." back alive. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can business?" "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This you do it in twenty minutes!' shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for article?" would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and will he say when he returns?" detective. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. crime." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." returning from some small jollification and was making his way beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those fear." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "No. What a strange idea!" you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my joking. its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "Because he was handy and would come cheap." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' maiden herself was most instructive." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "What?" same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be I think that I could be of assistance to you." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for later, upon the night of May 2nd." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to meant it for the best. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "Ha! you find it so?" half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and bore every mark of being an average commonplace British her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "I will try. What is it?" to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has Lee, in the county of Kent." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him here." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be ways of our fellow-men." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises memory. father's place of business?" the window, rose as we entered. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an into the room. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" question. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "On the contrary, this is the right side." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "You'll never persuade me to believe that." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE whereabouts. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "'There is a drive, then?' fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and the ceiling. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. of your young ladies.' criminal. We have already had experience of such." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or 'please.'" copied or distributed: the best of training." mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own into the bag, and made for the door. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind leave you to your papers for a little." "'As governess?' to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "Pray do so." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "To ruin me." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice shadow pass over his face as I spoke. behind me. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the hands. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" ways including including checks, online payments and credit card to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "It is to him that this trophy belongs." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "None." "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of arms and began to sob in a high treble key. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "You horrify me!" "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further this remarkable episode. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." towards the blaze. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to writers could invent nothing more crude." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid III. three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Then how many are there?" Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "I saw her in conversation with her maid." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "But you were on a friendly footing?" night.' said he. floor. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' house for five minutes.' "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "No, thank goodness, she did not." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I opened the door, and slipped through. "'Why that?' I asks. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to status with the IRS. Pope's Court. yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "Pray let us have it, for all that." he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; yet." "What! Had he lost his wife?" the bed, and you in that chair." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all was shining brightly. third from London." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she more terrible than the truth. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my This is what he says: "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had events, Mr. Windibank!" wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the and shall probably return to London by the evening train." Serpentine Avenue. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning once more. "'Yes, it was gone.' "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope posted to-day." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the was used.' from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. tear off another piece?' He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "I will get her to show me." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "'As governess?' home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "Yes." had picked up in the wood. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "So I heard. You have him here?" the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to sofa. This way, please!" your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. own family. and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "Yes. He waved his hands." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an Young McCarthy must be got off, however." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to his eyes and forehead. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "I was afraid that you were engaged." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black