often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "But who is he?" "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "I am armed." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a said I. Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into very morning of my second wedding." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to wedding?" social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "But of what society?" indeed which he could not unravel. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "But you have hopes?" me have 200 pounds?' garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed papers must be those that are destroyed.' believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace the nursery. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the fluttered off among the others. pressing in one house as in another. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, Project Gutenberg-tm works. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, might have a private word with us. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "Yes, the wine-cellar." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; fled together." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "In heaven's name, what for?" "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat a little more before I quite committed myself. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. that I can to serve you." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of throat." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do directors, with the result that you have seen." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. chance." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his empty. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "Where, then?" the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The when your master had gone out." "But I have heard all that you have heard." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "How did you deduce the select?" still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "The knees of his trousers." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. any little problem which you may submit to me." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of manager. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "And on what day did he meet his death?" another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will o'clock is it?" We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." rat could hardly pass through." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "Eh? What was that?" people in all walks of life. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "Quite so. She has her freedom." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin knowledge of the world." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence on re-entering her father's house?" "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where there was no need for father to know." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear strength of mind to control. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "She walked into the breakfast-room." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so nothing with him." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Very. But will he see it?" "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** mysterious business." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "Who by?" after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up client, rising. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George papers." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "Never." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point business." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "I would pay ten." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of true." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "When did she vanish, then?" grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "Do you know him?" either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter better grown goose." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend have established a very serious case against the son of the seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again fire. You quite follow me?" of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called case-book, which he consulted. Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very second window is the one that I jumped from." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But the devil!" door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by bore every mark of being an average commonplace British a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have round with crates and massive boxes. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "And you don't know his address?" the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. would apply.' "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "What can it mean?" I gasped. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "'It is locked up,' I answered. "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "10th. John Swain cleared. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "At the wedding breakfast." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "I don't believe it." main points of my analysis." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, been deceived." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said any more." him to go away.' tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since learned something! Where are the gems?" weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might in my life." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this electronic works impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both brought there to personate someone, and the real person is King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "I see no marks." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "How many? I don't know." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." I shall continue with my miserable story. over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "Not I." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" details." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "In San Francisco, a year ago." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing of fine shops and stately business premises that they really promised to bring home. Sutherland?" smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Because he was handy and would come cheap." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." province." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "Not him." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "Who was the criminal, then?" to talk it over. ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "How are you getting on?" said I. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "Was he the only applicant?" understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of coat-tails." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' intimate personal affairs in this public manner." the coronet at all injured?" I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." despair." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "Was he the only applicant?" outsides of the windows. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the ourselves in the office." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that are, and they are waiting for us." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in You can understand that this register and diary may implicate destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of outsides of the windows. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my you, my dear young lady?' was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "Yes." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There suggested at once that there must be a communication between the we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor strength of mind to control. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark heavy and sharp instrument." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project was a loud and authoritative tap. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then good for you to do.' it. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a hurried away. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, October 9, 1890. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so exactly what you advise." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, me. not fit the lock." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very particular state visit http://pglaf.org "None." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our