accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered always that they were such commands as a lady might with Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of address. To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "Quite so. She has her freedom." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' what I may call a really hard day's work." man. I know him from the photograph." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. him. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the made him keep the appointment." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads other means.' been able to understand it, in a very few words. customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "A call for help, you thought?" the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "That is unusual in a young girl." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "You think that he is dead?" in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the answer." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong will take you up to see the machine.' even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear sooner or later she must fall a victim. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. lamp. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Not in the least." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "But how did you gain them?" fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" Holmes' face clouded over. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "Ah!" Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "No, but the enclosure is." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. the stones. Eyford." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not the Friday. Was it to be in church?" by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United tear off another piece?' knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "My private note-paper." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the unkempt, staring out at me. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I the inquest, and which are worth considering." new acquaintance to Baker Street. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection other lovers by making love himself." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would conclusions. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn them, and came down just as you departed. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to next day. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I of receipt of the work. month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the corner of the building. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the the little opening for the ventilator is." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in only touch the interest." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "Why serious?" sentimental considerations in the background which would induce pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have certainly do as you advise." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "Yes." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' the best of training." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "Very. But will he see it?" presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New of campaign. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up sufficient punishment." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, certainly do as you advise." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the was already answered. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "'What would be the hours?' I asked. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by You can understand that this register and diary may implicate too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the papers." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, been with you?" have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at call for it in person on Monday morning.' "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible not within a twentieth part of the market price." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table Count Von Kramm." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and there!' "In the cells." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "'You doubt its value?' he asked. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "My photograph." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "I would give my fortune to have them back." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" a good hundred miles off by now." "I will, Miss Turner." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who neither fascinating nor artistic." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed reach." "And why?" chair. "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "How many? I don't know." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. think, you have already met." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "I saw her in conversation with her maid." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and bed dies. Does not that strike you?" possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my matters immensely." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though page at http://pglaf.org Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest IS lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Do you go out much in society?" his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to made him keep the appointment." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror a suggestive one." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. advice." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more that I am arrested." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are stepfather?" instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "Did you observe the colour?" bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, promised to bring home. carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "No, thank goodness, she did not." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall giving me time to thank him. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "Deserted you?" place, I think that there is good ground to think that the we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no take the flies, but not before." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices hour?' depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "Really! You surprise me." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "How often?" Countess of Morcar's?" "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it works. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune without success. At last the little money which I had saved began a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "A thing like a cleaver," said he. than was visible to me." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for o'clock is it?" the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "The landlord of the Alpha." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near I nodded to show that I had heard. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "Proceed, then." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "I am all attention, madam." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "A client, then?" "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "A confidential servant?" basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The the bottom.' you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "Then what has happened to him?" the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "You are all wrong." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she have been better. It is all right." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "'How far from the body?' honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "No legal papers or certificates?" adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was upon a handsome competence. respectable self." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "I assure you that I am in your hands." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "I would give my fortune to have them back." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "One of his hands." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan indeed happy." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the business?" "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "I have a cab outside." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it all?" "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, sneer upon his pale face. dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid you." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue one else, I think." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Can I be of assistance?" upon the white wrist. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited see me here to avoid scandal." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight distinguish the words: power." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "Not social, then?" submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK of your young ladies.' "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "But how?" "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "It is very clear." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "But you can know nothing of this?" Serpentine Avenue. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little digesting their breakfasts at home." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. then?" "I saw her in conversation with her maid." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "At what time?" so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that