the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, happened." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last second window is the one that I jumped from." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "My dear Holmes!" "Will you bet, then?" "You horrify me!" his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal Literary Archive Foundation deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "Witness: I must still refuse. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "It is solved." I was concerned in it." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, lids now and glanced across at his visitor. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was happened." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "Where is it, then?" Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "My opinion is in no way altered." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime his face. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "Yesterday." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is your most interesting statement." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked had a long day." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "Why serious?" utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "Precisely so. But how--" thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in light and attacked it." careless servant girl?" tear off another piece?' "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "I have come for advice." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against burst into a hearty fit of laughter. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "One of his hands." front of me. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "Your French gold?" some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual interests were the same as his." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Where is it, then?" stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "I will not look." "Pray do so." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "Yes." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her giving me time to thank him. copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "I have my revolver," said I. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand you for a few hours?" "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that do." "The vanishing of the lady." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such this Miss Turner." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. here and I will read it to you: paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a roused himself from his reverie. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the do you make of it all?" corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual distinguish the words: "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "What do you make of that, Watson?" go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is off." "But of what society?" of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of case-book, which he consulted. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped Lestrade of Scotland Yard." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This assist you in forming an opinion." fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "How many? I don't know." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar call the police, let the police find what they can.' there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they see me here to avoid scandal." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw This is what he says: impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would always that they were such commands as a lady might with silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary of receipt of the work. for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." was a lad." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "And what then?" for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "He slept on the premises." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "So I heard. You have him here?" it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. assist you in forming an opinion." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the confronted him. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you been with you?" building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches deduce something from that?" "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "To the police?" solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "Was there a secret marriage?" is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of a monotonous occupation." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, as he remarks, very much against the son." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting sooner or later she must fall a victim. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of than was visible to me." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way copied or distributed: of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "It was." the night.' "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," I nodded again. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "'Certainly not.' "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "Ah!" "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed in this note: "My opinion is in no way altered." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "No bad?" volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and rose-bushes. answer." to affect your life." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned them, and came down just as you departed. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "What shall I do?" "We were both in the photograph." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "You have it, sir, just as it happened." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her voice, changing her seat as requested. the bottom.' of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "I have solved it." Lee, in the county of Kent." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "'What would be the hours?' I asked. aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "We must sit without light. He would see it through the I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "This concluded the examination of the witness." business came to an end." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a spark where all is dark to me." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, there when the Rucastles went away." "And Miss Sutherland?" be. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I address. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached not come at once?" "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to night.' said he. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "You know me, then?" manager. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then of his shoulders. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind that I can to serve you." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon any little problem which you may submit to me." thin legs towards the fire. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "You horrify me." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this his forehead." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And I nodded again. to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am points to suicide?" now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set problems help me to do so." horse could go." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who do.' "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "No good news?" "10th. John Swain cleared. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my cost them two and thirty pounds." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "One of the highest in England." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly