bearing upon the case." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "And the murderer?" "I am to be neutral?" your billet.' body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly entirely lost his self-respect." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior will he say when he returns?" over part of the map. "What do you read?" have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "'Certainly not.' a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, in the port of London." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the would apply.' upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. locked." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my know all about it," he snarled. reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in for and were ordered to this address. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which wife's character?" reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and placed his cuttings. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "Ample." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir foot. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of some terrible trap for her." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "At half-wages, in fact." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "'I am sure that I do not know.' footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "'Which dealer's?' done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in of a light. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "In which, sir?" "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "But how will you look?" typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall are, I think, all that we need." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so carried out of court." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that to-night's adventure." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I are windows in it, of course?" other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "Indeed! Whose, then?" once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. have I gained?" Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a key of the affair now." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "Yes, at the mines." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of that you can jump it.' remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I yet." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "That is unusual in a young girl." house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "And on what day did he meet his death?" on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more heavy and sharp instrument." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "Yes, from Horsham." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off States. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "You are hungry," I remarked. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "He might." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "Yes." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, was already answered. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the beyond words. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was better grown goose." Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "To the police?" "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious do you make of it all?" there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "9th. McCauley cleared. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is again, where I was soon asleep. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "Married! When?" article?" caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I presented more singular features than that which was associated confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. to some other building. "Come in!" said Holmes. "Stolen, then." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "And help." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "You are all wrong." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for it." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever bird I ate is country bred." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "No, finished." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly Eyford." death." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Eh? What was that?" have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "Bought." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then soul! here is her carriage at the door." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" my friend's incisive reasoning. "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her situation." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed in this note: "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped been deceived." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my Munro.' "His face fell immediately. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "I came to find a friend." you came in." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed a suggestive one." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. and the colonel ushered me in. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at you." "How are you getting on?" bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over relief. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." maid will bring up your coffee." "But you were on a friendly footing?" "And I to find an enemy." some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "I have solved it." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "The rest you will leave in our hands." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our character. colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "So I am. Very much so." of the vacancies.' we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in which our visitor detailed to us. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. speckled band?" third from London." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called where we are going." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the without a word or a look. charge against him will break down." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in already referred to. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose know that the truth is known." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from from the brougham. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Pray let us have it, for all that." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round wedding?" least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "Yes." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' sentimental considerations in the background which would induce bonnet, and went out." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, http://www.gutenberg.net living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me towards the blaze. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "I cannot tell." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "'Where could I find him?' "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her maid will bring up your coffee." the side-table." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this the Friday. Was it to be in church?" perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite key turn in the lock." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect tell me that you intended to go into harness." acquaintance?" father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which and laid it on the table. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "Won't it ring?" empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "Pray tell us what has happened to you." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "How about poison?" to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "What then?" "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was said Mr. Holder. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same McCarthy." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well could not account in any way for the presence of the missing possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature as noiselessly as she had come. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Nothing." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it himself in a perplexing position. the stones. Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the your own bird, so if you wish--" "Where, indeed?" process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "You are hungry," I remarked. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged not, dad?" she asked. "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." without a word or a look. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for spark where all is dark to me." Count Von Kramm." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "But she will refuse." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my of them has the shutters up.' knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the I nodded again. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. followed. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a window when the police appeared." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came