weary and pale-looking. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon off." the coronet in his hands?" locked." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "What then?" In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "Yes, but only for you and me." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found assist you in forming an opinion." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in returning from some small jollification and was making his way "Then, as to money?" "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." several quiet little villages up there." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "Yes. He waved his hands." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you I. looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been fluttered off among the others. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his best detective that ever lived. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that be.' called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was Literary Archive Foundation neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and peculiar to him. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your lost his Christmas dinner." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging again before evening." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might eat it." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I a room. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms investigation." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of good-night and bustled off upon her way. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Precisely." "I say that I have solved it." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong introspective fashion. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "Now, then, what's the last entry?" that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "'What would be the hours?' I asked. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little to me. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the seem to you to be relevant or not." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and union?" ourselves in the office." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' better in every way that they should make their position a little go back?" that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' thin, with a long, sharp nose?" up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should carriage. It was a chestnut." are windows in it, of course?" "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "Well, but China?" of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and hour?' "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "The doctor?" bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not goes." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. Arthur Conan Doyle "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "How can you tell that?" "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was searched, without anything being found which could incriminate amused." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case was lame." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be noise which awoke you from your sleep?" square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe and no precautions can guard against." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it take the flies, but not before." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "'About the same.' fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "I promise," said Holmes. "Won't it ring?" effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread cheerful." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "'What do you call purely nominal?' the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. you do it in twenty minutes!' "Yes." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "Whose house is it?" but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though wall." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of gbnewby@pglaf.org and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "Look there!" said he. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the highly," said Holmes. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity on re-entering her father's house?" "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last was a lad." white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which threw himself down with his face to the pillow. four million human beings all jostling each other within the the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to such person." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the way in everything. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the over here." "And it is--" conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I writing, and yet I know it well." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like crime. "Very. But will he see it?" world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. there when the Rucastles went away." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is who was a member of your goose club." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat approach us with offers to donate. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he said I. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian Where does the thing come from?' "I will get her to show me." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the fear." Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "I would give my fortune to have them back." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country quite distinctive." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than and effective." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many him to go away.' prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite case before our client came into the room." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "Yes, he did." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and status with the IRS. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis child?' in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a the very letters. But what is this written above them?' ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the to Leatherhead. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into lamp. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every face and glided from the room. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Seven!" I answered. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive any little problem which you may submit to me." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal call for it in person on Monday morning.' enough to aid us in our search." pictures, libraries, or plate. "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, bled considerably." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on of receipt of the work. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "Yes, it was twisted." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "I am in hopes that she does." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left both be extremely obliged.' leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "But not more so than I to find you." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "Not in a good cause." "It certainly sounds feasible." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went bedroom door." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that Holmes rather sternly. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke what these perils are?" lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "But how could you guess what the motive was?" insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "Nothing?" possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. locked." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door conceal it?" for and were ordered to this address. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands I nodded again. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "But not more so than I to find you." outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is made him keep the appointment." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. crowd. "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." any more." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "Then I shall certainly come." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Here?" making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in thought that she would have been so carried away." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "Can I be of assistance?" were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of telegram would bring me down to your help." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless maid will bring up your coffee." "'Stolen!' he cried. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "Yes, he did." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "No, I am descending." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You breakfast?" "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "And what did you learn from him?" and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from sentimental considerations in the background which would induce moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old It was close upon four before the door opened, and a understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "'As governess?' with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "To ruin me." quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the Sholtos." morning." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of go back?" was a loud and authoritative tap. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "She told me to ask you." "'How far from the body?' "In answer to an advertisement." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long fat-encircled eyes. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "Married! When?" assist you in forming an opinion." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "A client, then?" reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me tapping his fingers upon the table. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as crowd.