"You are certainly joking, Holmes." know that the truth is known." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of words came to my lips. fashion which was peculiar to him. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. and all of them with the keenest interest. could gather together that I was able to avert another public about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, distance from the station, and there we found the young lady coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next some water from a caraffe. he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we John Swain, of St. Augustine. never to learn it at all." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp thought that she would have been so carried away." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "'There is a drive, then?' about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would province." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads Munro.' "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an strength in the others." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "Deserted you?" there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it situation." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, the nursery. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "And from a noble client?" empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "No?" ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one infinite languor in his face. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. shall not find me ungrateful." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic call it cruel." "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you Arthur Conan Doyle money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in help us in this matter." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "I beg pardon." him to go away.' the inner apartment." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." sound at heart." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful pity, because in other respects you would really have done very 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "Was she in good spirits?" used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was third from London." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by locked." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "My own seal." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "Eh? What was that?" from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. him!" "Perhaps we may make them less so." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and that before taking the final step I should like to submit the Miss Holder?" to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "And I to find an enemy." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of occurred." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end begin with, and I had not got mine yet." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. enter Dr. Roylott's room." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its and the whole place is in a blaze." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is even of instruction." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with could not account in any way for the presence of the missing the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "Bought." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let gbnewby@pglaf.org "By no means." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it place, I think that there is good ground to think that the protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and For additional contact information: south, for the country is more deserted there." "You have a clue?" "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "I cannot tell." I leave." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely do you make of it all?" "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a his face. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are populous neighbourhood." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled know all about it," he snarled. "And how?" to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman awkward doing business with an alias." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "'Quite sure, dad.' once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a or in danger--" the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What brandy and water within his reach. stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "Tired-looking or fresh?" "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good his knees, staring into the fire. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in three of the beryls in it, was missing. "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the My friend smiled. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions papers on the sundial.'" fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "Yes, but only for you and me." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "Yes, all." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be the running down." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on correct than the official force." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of upon the sideboard." quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "Why, what do you mean?" "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of together. "Thank you. And your address?" "I am in hopes that she does." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of we went to search for him, face downward in a little smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "It is very clear." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your the little opening for the ventilator is." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to keep the flames under. breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" child?' and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "You did not overhear what they said?" without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a young Openshaw's." "But I have heard all that you have heard." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them the very letters. But what is this written above them?' Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with better in every way that they should make their position a little may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon coat-tails." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many round and wave him away like that.' Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and and have this put in the evening papers." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me during that time.' "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." Eyford at 11:15.' journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "Dark enough and sinister enough." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was chair. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of test if we have an answer to our advertisement." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to never came back." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "Witness: It was. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked him." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "He disappeared so suddenly." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "One of his hands." for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "'Ample.' "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "The Coroner: What do you mean? together. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. narrative." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to III. I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "But she will refuse." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have frequently gained my first real insight into the character of latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So matter." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not Watson," he said cordially. difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the Eyford." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the papers diligently of late, have you not?" it." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. had picked up in the wood. as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to existence." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special possible that we could bring him back to her? horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my tail." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would cigars in their mouths. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every which our visitor detailed to us. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and copied or distributed: "Very truly yours, "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. his wife has ceased to love him." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it to a light-house. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "Of what day?" known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. think you a quite exceptional woman." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She what is your own theory as to what took place?" "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "Imitated." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." light and attacked it." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase noting anything else of interest. my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking handed it to him. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, noble correspondent could be. While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "But the mystery?" Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down it right.' "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "You heard nothing yourself last night?" this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "You know me, then?" shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little held up the lantern and gazed about him. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "An accident, I presume?" nothing of it?" Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "'Is purely nominal.' views." nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, ago." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting London for the present?" shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "Yes, only one." a good hundred miles off by now." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "Never." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to