I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in right! Sit down and let us talk it over." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly soul! here is her carriage at the door." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. even so self-evident a thing as that." there has been an enclosure here!" there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." with some details as to your case." "And leave your case unfinished?" "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, advice." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his death." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." you." place of silver." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've have an American origin." empty. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the know what is wrong with it.' "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "The vanishing of the lady." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "Where, then, is my wife?" do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. the inner apartment." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with night.' said he. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, there." in his power. sparkled upon his finger. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "When did it break out?" never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country The King stared at him in amazement. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten cigar and let me expound." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as crackling voice. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "You have a clue?" sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "No, finished." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a my little problems." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "It goes to the housekeeper's room." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "Nothing." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran in this way: my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his shall not find me ungrateful." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "No, I am descending." union?" discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very neither fascinating nor artistic." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence during that time.' however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right said I. behind me. in this note: head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. interested in these little problems, and since you are good once more to my work. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his down. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "That's no good." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "How did you trace it, then?" my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from occupations.' certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "Never." floor. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "Not particularly." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point she used." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her one or two very singular points about this room. For example, 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must envelope. it. mystery may be cleared along those lines." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was very peculiar words of the dying woman?" without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "Then I shall certainly come." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "Nothing." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low for securing the situation." "Why serious?" least a fellow-countryman. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately cup of tea. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to remarked. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "'Certainly not.' well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "She will not sell." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies whereabouts. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. said I. young Openshaw's." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "I assure you that I am in your hands." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from salesman. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so have had none more fantastic than this." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a rooms." done what I asked you, Jones?" assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a the armchair which I pushed forward for him. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of absolutely follow my advice in every respect." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" it right.' floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and DISSOLVED. views." used to be." tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our of a light. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you page at http://pglaf.org "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "None." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "And why?" "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "I am armed." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He hands. my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "No, my brougham is waiting." "No, I think that I'll take it." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send sit on the left-hand side of the driver." door?" and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I such person." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." eat it." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as him nearly every evening." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some down from London to inquire more deeply into it." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our brought there to personate someone, and the real person is and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always the window, rose as we entered. "No." there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "It is half-past ten now." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about have an American origin." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." the loss of it. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a individual and becomes the badge of a society." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "Nothing." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in gigantic client. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived easy-going way." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." you." "And how did you verify them?" bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your I held the little printed slip to the light. self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, behind me. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the and prosperity to your house. Good-night." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "I cannot think." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and examination of the premises, but without finding anything which the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't that there was nothing in it, after all." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "By train from Waterloo." never came back." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy you in yours." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and very old mansion. past. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "What! Had he lost his wife?" red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's writers could invent nothing more crude." "'Where could I find him?' "But what harm can there be in that?" "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "10th. John Swain cleared. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a your only hope of safety." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my said he. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "To the police?" "'I have heard so.' thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you the coroner come to?" the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at upon the sideboard." protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I some water from a caraffe. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly examine." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "But who is he?" I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "'Where to?' to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "That sounds a little paradoxical." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert at my own good fortune. enough to aid us in our search." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it it right.' the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at distance from the station, and there we found the young lady case before our client came into the room." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John that?' of campaign. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad were new raised from a basin. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. strength of mind to control. "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard of." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when writers could invent nothing more crude." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "'Why that?' I asks. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "She walked into the breakfast-room." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the sake, don't!" "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made time." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. of." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no