housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I front of the hall door has given its name to the place. foot. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "Then I do not see the point." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a figure." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, late." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. I nodded to show that I had heard. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his my friend's incisive reasoning. "Come in!" said he. earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can village inn over there?" "You were travelling in the States?" set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "And the cigar-holder?" "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "It was a confession," I ejaculated. reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "VIOLET HUNTER." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "But we can't all be." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "That also I could fathom." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid you in your example." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "I have a cab outside." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much particular state visit http://pglaf.org "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. had a long day." where she found matters as described by the last witness. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "And you thought he was pulled back?" of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "What then?" opportunities to fix the problem. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "Really! You surprise me." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "Nothing?" "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "'Tell me all about it,' said I. and I shall be with you presently." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "And that is--" "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "Stolen, then." strong and stiff." age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very recall any case within my experience which looked at the first as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was have had none more fantastic than this." "Certainly, madam." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "What, then?" favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "You were travelling in the States?" before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." bears upon the case?" brandy and water within his reach. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her was it brought him the coronet? "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell floor. the date of his supposed suicide." little trying to do so much typewriting?" man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate have I gained?" and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "Tired-looking or fresh?" "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "How did you deduce the select?" Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence married her." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of death." "What then?" for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "No, but the enclosure is." "Yes." main points of my analysis." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that go--none." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "The doctor?" gone before you can get him to hospital." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, will be renamed. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the sofa. This way, please!" "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, yards of it?' it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed all that?" "You think so, too?" the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a have one." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "The decline of his fortunes, then?" there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your other, as fresh and trim as possible. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate and I shall be with you presently." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, I nodded to show that I had heard. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own second." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, awkward doing business with an alias." leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "You heard nothing yourself last night?" come either from the window or the door. My attention was walking." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love matters immensely." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave wife's character?" breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "Then you may be so with me." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "And from a noble client?" horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "Yes, all." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "Tired-looking or fresh?" to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the your own bird, so if you wish--" "Indeed! Whose, then?" "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "What have you to say now?" vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the have not had my rubber." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation right! Sit down and let us talk it over." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand empty. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was God! What an exposure! What can I do?" and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they what is your own theory as to what took place?" presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "'Oh, no.' transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly States. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Really! You surprise me." of his shoulders. Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so the iron safe, which he closed upon it. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the relation between them, and what the object of his repeated absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the criminal. We have already had experience of such." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "And is that all?" the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. States. which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: wall." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "'You doubt its value?' he asked. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." help us in this matter." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my any little problem which you may submit to me." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "You have compromised yourself seriously." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to me." "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. and your relations to her." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "It is half-past ten now." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" note?" the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair his face which made him a very different person to the round, but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did to a light-house. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "Bought." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "Married! When?" "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' dramatic, in fact." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always asked with his eyes open. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, of his shoulders. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, as noiselessly as she had come. "I cannot think." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door her also." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "Bought." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "I cannot tell." I think that I could be of assistance to you." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "The gentleman I describe." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the outsides of the windows. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "'Tell me all about it,' said I. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when father's young wife. pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "What then?" sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "The vanishing of the lady." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very strong reason behind." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! most important business. It is probable that he will be away all very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "But I have heard all that you have heard." morning." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "What can you not understand?" answered with a sidelong glance. "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his was lame." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and peculiar to him. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "And leave your case unfinished?" "Did your wife hear all this?" therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Precisely so. But how--" across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up lamp. mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of of the way of danger. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "No." you, my dear young lady?' wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every fatally injured? must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional which was all perfectly true. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "Upon what point?" sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those in your London, you will know that the office of the company is and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, business at Coburg Square is serious." upon the sideboard." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most he died? "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was morning." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "I shall most certainly do so." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "This concluded the examination of the witness." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "Did your wife hear all this?" over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "In the cells." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "What office?" such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice charge against him will break down." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered