tightly behind him. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "I do." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "Nor running a chance of arrest?" have established a very serious case against the son of the wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without 11:15.' he bowed and left the room without another word. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. skylight. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. outbreak?" the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your presume?" rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "They are typewritten," I remarked. "'What do you call purely nominal?' active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "Certainly." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "What do you make of that, Watson?" from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself main points of my analysis." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which now. It seems that there had been some informality about their over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling enter into my head. revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, just ask you whether you had heard it.' his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "And the cigar-holder?" wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated imbecility!" he cried. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "What then?" "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away the one as in the other." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness business." way in everything. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming and no precautions can guard against." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Pray do so." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but like gravel from a pit.' outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he jewels which you have stolen?' "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the tapping his fingers upon the table. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in showing my impatience. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the this remarkable episode. cigars in the box." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in one or two very singular points about this room. For example, his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of becomes even more simple." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, window when the police appeared." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he threw himself down with his face to the pillow. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "Dr. Becher's." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by that you saw all that I did." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to deduce something from that?" should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the galvanised. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Dark enough and sinister enough." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very strong and stiff." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "ARAT," I read. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "He said too much." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "No." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." might help us?" "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed presented more singular features than that which was associated "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. enough to aid us in our search." manager. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled in the port of London." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was the warnings." lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "VIOLET HUNTER." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the man. I know him from the photograph." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Nothing." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me is so. I know all about McCarthy." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "She showed me, as I told you she would." "Yes, only one." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say again, where I was soon asleep. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "What! Had he lost his wife?" with frightened eyes at his accuser. He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how recover the gem." "What are they?" sneer upon his pale face. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no whether it answered to the description of any of their "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "You have carte blanche." brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they woman." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and he. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Bought." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and as noiselessly as she had come. "What office?" shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I for the market.' change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took begun to whiten, even as mine has." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but envelope. right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he not use it unless it is absolutely needed." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was your equipment. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get nice household for a young lady." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "BALLARAT." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "What?" exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "10th. John Swain cleared. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we rose-bushes. "It is possible." upon an income of about 60 pounds." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt your room." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few interests were the same as his." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these some terrible trap for her." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "Nothing." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and where we are going." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. believe that I should never have any practice at all. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "And your mother is alive?" nonsense.' "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was Chief Executive and Director to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort figure." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he of fine shops and stately business premises that they really are windows in it, of course?" chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "You were travelling in the States?" and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "And Irene Adler?" upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "It goes to the housekeeper's room." public press." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the papers diligently of late, have you not?" believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "No, finished." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. wedding?" as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' showing my impatience. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, the so-precious time, but come!' to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "And why?" of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. of campaign. For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. gone. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But sentimental considerations in the background which would induce is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "It is solved." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "An enemy?" the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "Pray be precise as to details," said he. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain system of imprisonment?" him nearly every evening." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On into the room. "And I to find an enemy." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the official police." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "Did you observe the colour?" the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long front of me. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "I am armed." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "Game for a morning drive?" touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a ordinary clothes on?" the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you