machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "But his lameness?" photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "Why did you beat the pavement?" methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other stood on the top of it. amused." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah and the colonel ushered me in. found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah I have it here in my museum." infinite languor in his face. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and to me. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "My opinion is in no way altered." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were away to you." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were experiences." drawing your inferences." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after wedding?" "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "'Ample.' "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "How about poison?" "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "What! Had he lost his wife?" one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves particular state visit http://pglaf.org younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "'Certainly not. But why?' wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had them, and came down just as you departed. him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." danger is over." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was hurried by. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an father's young wife. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the works. See paragraph 1.E below. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is now. It seems that there had been some informality about their the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is seem to you to be relevant or not." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant and your relations to her." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of down from London to inquire more deeply into it." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." skylight. "What shall I do?" submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "Her father is very rich?" brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "Here?" "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official acted in my house last night?" "It surprised me." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." some terrible trap for her." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The hair?' "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the as the one I chose?' may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "But he might be a bachelor." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle hour?' defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "It is his hat." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As quite distinctive." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been Lee, in the county of Kent." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed read over the extraordinary announcement. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot presume?" sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his I held the little printed slip to the light. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story photograph a cabinet?" difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away man. I know him from the photograph." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few digesting their breakfasts at home." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing public press." she to prove their authenticity?" and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door minor matters until to-morrow." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even one or two very singular points about this room. For example, centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "On the contrary, this is the right side." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "Certainly." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "Not in the least." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "I am about to be married." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the roused himself from his reverie. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been dead, shall be safe with us." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "Yes, only one." the very morning of the wedding." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "Where did you address your letters, then?" sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "But you would not advise me to refuse?" insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution sparkled upon his finger. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without http://www.gutenberg.net Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no and the church but not where the lady lived." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, me have 200 pounds?' success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "But your client--" the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "'I am sure that I do not know.' that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "Stolen, then." would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" to arrive at through this?" plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon Doctor, of the paper and the date." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "He disappeared so suddenly." If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "What do you make of that, Watson?" favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to things are very often connected not with the larger but with the little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in where Mr. Fordham shows you.' dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in of." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building my special province." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We thin legs towards the fire. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his gbnewby@pglaf.org served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just friends, not even his own brother. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he the child." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I union?" himself. the bottom.' "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "And I to find an enemy." the house with me." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a sneer upon his pale face. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions closing the door. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon against a man in the prime of life?" bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at Foundation "What I expected to see." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "The decline of his fortunes, then?" very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took more solid." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I absolutely follow my advice in every respect." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Look there!" said he. "I should like to see him very much." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser and laid it on the table. get her out of the way." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "It is half-past ten now." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. nights." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I eavesdroppers?' so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and gbnewby@pglaf.org "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying away to you." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through envelope. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of directors have had misgivings upon the subject." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger page at http://pglaf.org stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "It was an hour's good drive." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I the Friday. Was it to be in church?" homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable the running down." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Yes." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I train from Paddington which would bring you there at about It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a forebodings. Munro.' coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "Not yet." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" hurried by. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a to-night." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included one of the states of the Union." "How did he come?" simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and before the coroner and the police-court." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a Street. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and thirty. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." introspective fashion. gone. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "Yes." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "And I." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church danger is over." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "I cannot tell." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "It is very clear." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "And how did you verify them?" subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it the armchair which I pushed forward for him. McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the the morning and make my own way in the world.' happened." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "You are certainly joking, Holmes." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "Stolen." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical enter Dr. Roylott's room." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible I. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. But Holmes shook his head gravely. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE be there in time for your coming." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the gigantic client. round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe other means.' hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that is four-and-twenty." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. hardly wander." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would house for five minutes.' is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a in my life." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "You horrify me!" knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in here and I will read it to you: me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "You did not overhear what they said?" "No, finished." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as Eyford at 11:15.' When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? father's young wife. cigars in their mouths. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything out." words came to my lips. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Can I be of assistance?" "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' interests were the same as his." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and upon an income of about 60 pounds." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the