triumphant cloud from his cigarette. persecution?" "Then I shall certainly come." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You helping a boy to put up the shutters. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "But to whom?" to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself he bowed and left the room without another word. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "You have a clue?" "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" in your London, you will know that the office of the company is photograph a cabinet?" helping a boy to put up the shutters. a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up the Assizes." to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "And how did you find out?" "Did you observe the colour?" There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "Was there a secret marriage?" horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' held up the lantern and gazed about him. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." charged with?" Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to man. I know him from the photograph." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I tell them apart.' is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California residence of the great financier. which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people to that open window." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already asked. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her to tell." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I during which he might have communicated with his friend the In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "To ruin me." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' never will be, entirely cleared up. benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely pressing in one house as in another. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to their singular warning or token before them when starting upon some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "So it appears." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from became a certainty. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "He disappeared so suddenly." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "Whose house is it?" direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. fact, we may call it conclusive." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "How did that help you?" black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his fattened it expressly for you.' "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which hair?' purpose of examination. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "I warn you that they are very incomplete." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a beyond words. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I were new raised from a basin. "And now?" I asked. you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "You have compromised yourself seriously." Sutherland. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I chemical work which was so dear to him. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." there!' go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very quick march!" "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into hurried by. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "No, I had a dozen." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "'You cannot say what it was?' for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "A thing like a cleaver," said he. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and upon the sideboard." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked was lame." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "'As governess?' d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. ordinary clothes on?" returned to France?" would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere to you." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "And who is her maid?" black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it trying to your nerves." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; gigantic client. France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "What, then?" Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "'About the same.' against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the seven miles from Eyford Station.' dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the me what he had done with the three missing stones. "What can it mean?" I gasped. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "Well." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for lids now and glanced across at his visitor. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "Oh, yes, easily." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "I will, Miss Turner." despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "Why serious?" reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should we went to search for him, face downward in a little "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her success. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was would apply.' "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where bare slabs of marble. Mary, has deserted me." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed asked. do.' nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day a room. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with nothing with him." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. felt?" companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "One of his hands." "Yes." "ARAT," I read. "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "By no means." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. of the one which your family is now devouring." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, any little problem which you may submit to me." was a perfect sample of the class. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the of fine shops and stately business premises that they really the nursery. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation help us in this matter." Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "My photograph." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "It's nothing of the kind." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can subject to the trademark license, especially commercial I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "It missed him, then?" she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they said he. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with wedding?" plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed some place of shelter and let the county police know what has once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the brandy and water within his reach. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "One of the highest in England." "Yes?" "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how place of silver." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a there is a decided draught." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "So I have heard." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found Count Von Kramm." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really individual and becomes the badge of a society." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at morning." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "No." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." in this way: sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "It looks newer than the other things?" agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, interests were the same as his." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower point in the dark hollow of his hand. downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it thin, with a long, sharp nose?" He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "Not social, then?" front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was foresight and the moral retrogression?" enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love has little to do with my story." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "I don't believe it." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "So I have heard." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "He said that you could solve anything." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Will you go?" from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "Was the window open?" very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "Certainly." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" 1.F. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." shoulder; "he's all right." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, second window is the one that I jumped from." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock man. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the may never be exposed to such a temptation." nothing with him." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "Then you may entirely rely on me." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows and capable of preserving a secret.' "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "And you can do nothing until then?" "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met papers must be those that are destroyed.' the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "How did you deduce the select?" office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "And what then?" "But how did you gain them?" "What are they?" may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "Yes, only one." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' been." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "Not particularly." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City call you and give you the chance." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said success. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what gone. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "'Is 4 pounds a week.' desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then