stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of from the brougham. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the laugh and put his lips to my ear. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "And it is--" morning." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I was already answered. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should him. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and indiscretion." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "Who was the criminal, then?" a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "Where is it, then?" "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "Yes." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front over part of the map. "What do you read?" "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "And your mother is alive?" soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "There are none." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should away in different directions, and I went off to make my own do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "At half-wages, in fact." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." always that they were such commands as a lady might with had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we believe that I should never have any practice at all. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him His name is Francis Prosper." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner II. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses walking." problems help me to do so." "What office?" right! Sit down and let us talk it over." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Then I can wait in the next room." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "He might." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "Why serious?" the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong noble correspondent could be. "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "What is it?" acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "How did you deduce the select?" marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "Not him." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what conclusions. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father like that before?" suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must there in twenty minutes." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "You will not go there first?" "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "No, thank goodness, she did not." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it round with crates and massive boxes. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his have not had my rubber." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of said he. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend than to us. dead, shall be safe with us." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. overpowering excitement and concern. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down During two years I have had three consultations and one small cup of tea. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt late!' be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "Get out!" said he. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it suddenly upon us." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now believe that I should never have any practice at all. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: question you as to those details which seem to me to be most on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Where to?" "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "And the cigar-holder?" The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every be best to do. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it window when the police appeared." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." undoubtedly my uncle's." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or the dangers which encompass me." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "I am all attention, madam." been deceived." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "It is half-past ten now." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." weary and pale-looking. "I am armed." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "I know where it is." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You events than those which have happened in my own family." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "In what way?" asked Holmes. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend arrested. You then--" "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "Here?" bore every mark of being an average commonplace British observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. questioning and rather startled gaze. heavily into it. "We were both in the photograph." discontent upon his features. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "Seven!" I answered. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "How did that help you?" forehead. Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "I answered that I had not. to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man was a loud and authoritative tap. "Just look it up, then." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative yards of it?' opened a pocket-book and took out a note. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "I have seen the police." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning noting anything else of interest. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "None." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "To an English lawyer named Norton." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of For additional contact information: shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "But how did you gain them?" room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "Eh? What was that?" "No, my brougham is waiting." "How about poison?" reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was friends, not even his own brother. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive without a word or a look. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few was not a bird to be seen there. "Where, indeed?" set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 chambers. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "My private note-paper." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "Where, then?" were unconscious?" which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He power." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman occupations.' though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and troubles have been weighing upon his mind. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and your bag." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small mystery." "There is the writing." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Quite so." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever his cane at the bell-pull. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that his wife has ceased to love him." creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in Edgeware Road. she used." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "Where, then, is my wife?" him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then than was visible to me." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air his cane at the bell-pull. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to the nursery. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I do.' attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, relief. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant awaited us upon the table. there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land upon the sideboard." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "At the wedding breakfast." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "Imitated." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." lamp in his hand. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of Holmes rather sternly. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be without success. At last the little money which I had saved began his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he fire. You quite follow me?" chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where outsides of the windows. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "I am all attention, madam." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, deduce something from that?" round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that politicians who had been sent down from the North. present." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen it with his own hands." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called the so-precious time, but come!' therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have upon a handsome competence. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have astonishment. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without in this way: presented more singular features than that which was associated coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss been shamefully used." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to been with you?" society." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet photograph?" was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or success. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must Pool. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the God! What an exposure! What can I do?" with the outside air!" *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land bearing upon the case." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "The landlord of the Alpha." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "I will try. What is it?" VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking question you as to those details which seem to me to be most chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "I cannot tell." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, Holmes rather sternly. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger you for a few hours?" "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar manager. you for a few hours?" remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, to take care of herself." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys