matters immensely." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "And leave your case unfinished?" be best to do. "But your client--" window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most one's self under obligations.' are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the voice, changing her seat as requested. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home happened." as he folded up the epistle. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." of Mr. Rucastle's." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the furiously. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "Certainly." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. Mrs. Toller serenely. we went to search for him, face downward in a little the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "But how will you look?" frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "May I see it?" the iron safe, which he closed upon it. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the of the one which your family is now devouring." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at during that time.' in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert lumber-room." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." bird I ate is country bred." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything galvanised. events than those which have happened in my own family." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "The gentleman I describe." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." papers diligently of late, have you not?" I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "'No, I know no one in these parts.' They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "What office?" to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. minor matters until to-morrow." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." again, where I was soon asleep. papers." frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "May I see it?" were new raised from a basin. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "Where, then?" there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in into the bag, and made for the door. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my problems help me to do so." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "I am following you closely," I answered. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have what is your own theory as to what took place?" loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "What have you done?" asked Holmes. believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "The rest you will leave in our hands." friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore envelope. at once, for I have only half an hour." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account who was a member of your goose club." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, returning from some small jollification and was making his way public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "'Certainly,' I answered. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me pierced for earrings?" place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's troubles have been weighing upon his mind. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "It looks newer than the other things?" two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "But she will refuse." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down people don't know." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are was shining brightly. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "The gentleman I describe." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue conceal it?" "It surprised me." "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" yet." them?" trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "How are you getting on?" "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. some water from a caraffe. "Where, then, is my wife?" copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "What are they?" "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the have I gained?" to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The Count Von Kramm." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, stepfather?" done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring country, and eventually married, without anyone having a the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' Street. the window, rose as we entered. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him frequently gained my first real insight into the character of best detective that ever lived. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "Yes, sir." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it and your relations to her." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "How are you getting on?" handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a money should be paid at once.' for its centre. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, take the flies, but not before." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "He slept on the premises." that I can to serve you." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. during which he might have communicated with his friend the green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "I saw her in conversation with her maid." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "By no means." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." which it had come upon my father." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that the bed, and you in that chair." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already through." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "'There is a drive, then?' admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my What do you deduce from it?" "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "No." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. him nearly every evening." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His chamber." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor lectures into a series of tales." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "No bad?" pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "How did you deduce the select?" handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "There are none." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" vanished into the darkness. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Here?" elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "I see many objections to any such theory." "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "'Certainly not.' the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "How do you know, then?" well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for fatally injured? outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who few hundred pounds.' used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "And now?" I asked. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael hopeless attempt at recovering them." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "He disappeared so suddenly." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "It is half-past ten now." that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his the inner apartment." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa disappearance of the bride.'" be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through any more." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always only touch the interest." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "I do." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds was already answered. finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly think that he is innocent?" became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "How did you deduce the select?" "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a strange features which were associated with the two crimes which with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few voice, changing her seat as requested. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to drawing your inferences." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go any little problem which you may submit to me." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little electronic works know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of least a most suspicious remark." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands and that he would see to anything that turned up. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "Yes, I have one waiting." the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "Yes." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the gigantic client. Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "It goes to the housekeeper's room." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "'I have already given you my word.' "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "My own seal." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." visitors." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "'Why, what did you think?' I asked.