himself. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. Dr. Gregory B. Newby hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been question you as to those details which seem to me to be most together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those peculiar to him. promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil sufficient punishment." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "We were both in the photograph." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard go from here to the Strand." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "And how did you verify them?" you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "Certainly." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. point in the dark hollow of his hand. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the Dr. Gregory B. Newby "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle dead, shall be safe with us." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my down in his armchair and closing his eyes. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: His name is Francis Prosper." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "And the murderer?" its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the and laid it on the table. "Dirty?" product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Yesterday." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my of Mr. Rucastle's." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "Yesterday." tell me that you intended to go into harness." been." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some married her." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, something of him before." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" observed. threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "And help." disturbance in my wife." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm this as likely?" "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train vague figure huddled up in the darkness. lips." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "Married! When?" among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "I shall be delighted." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "And now?" I asked. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, http://gutenberg.net/license). events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "My photograph." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "In what way?" asked Holmes. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial promised to bring home. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his lamp. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "May I see it?" hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room neither fascinating nor artistic." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the envelope. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a village inn over there?" soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, in his hands." it means?" "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "My dear Holmes!" fashion which was peculiar to him. "You horrify me." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "But what harm can there be in that?" "'No, I know no one in these parts.' rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. invisible to me," I remarked. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock followed. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel who was a member of your goose club." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that that you can jump it.' despair." "What will you do, then?" matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "His face fell immediately. At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached guilty parties." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady it with his own hands." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "Where, then, is my wife?" apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of shoulder; "he's all right." himself. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right such person." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step it were putty." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "And why?" "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm to miss it." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "Can I be of assistance?" coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My out." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. have I gained?" "Yes?" to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom and files of the old papers, following the future career of every hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there in this way: plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "Certainly." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to was feeling which was the fattest.' I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "Yes, sir." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "A confidential servant?" away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote been anything against him. He had for years been known as a Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two attention." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to girl said." bell. Holmes whistled. someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by of Fenchurch Street." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in up this clue while it is still hot." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are against a man in the prime of life?" front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "What then?" power." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of bare slabs of marble. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he now. It seems that there had been some informality about their short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "What are they?" particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, was a perfect sample of the class. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "How often?" was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, and no precautions can guard against." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "You are hungry," I remarked. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" fluttered off among the others. "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and upon the shelf for the interim." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird the matter?" "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious and that he would see to anything that turned up. very old mansion. read it out to me." article?" unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "From his hat?" "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold his wife has ceased to love him." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to you in your example." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "It's nothing of the kind." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "No. His orders were to stay in the house." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. excitement. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." happened." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large morning." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "I am in hopes that she does." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with know what is wrong with it.' "'Oh, no.' "Is he quiet?" "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a been anything against him. He had for years been known as a with you alone." gbnewby@pglaf.org It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I already referred to. "Well, it is a possible supposition." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing States. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, have I gained?" "Now, then, what's the last entry?" return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "So I heard. You have him here?" "None." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "An enemy?" in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only and inquire as to the address." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "Not in the least." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "No legal papers or certificates?" however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. behind me. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. you understand?" "I should wish to." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you written. had died away into the silence from which it rose. "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. never will be, entirely cleared up. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "And when will you call?" even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't business." present." infinite languor in his face. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant before, for it was considerably after midnight. initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. Mary, has deserted me." sofa. This way, please!" "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "The vanishing of the lady." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then where we are going." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "You forget that I know nothing about it." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew certainly do as you advise." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The Heh?' "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the The police have openly confessed that they can at present make the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the ventilator." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their soul! here is her carriage at the door." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he