swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "He disappeared so suddenly." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his burst into a hearty fit of laughter. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the foresight and the moral retrogression?" this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in despair." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "It is possible." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he really the only notable feature about the thing." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings presume?" "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing murdered man." besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" shaken than I had ever seen him. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "You are hungry," I remarked. "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small only touch the interest." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in and that he would see to anything that turned up. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "Thank you. And your address?" things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation Lestrade of Scotland Yard." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "Not I." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle you." schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the to miss it." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' guilty parties." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent thin, with a long, sharp nose?" immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "On the contrary, this is the right side." of the vacancies.' do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, tightly behind him. you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "Yes?" "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really some city in a dream. "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which empty. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting here and I will read it to you: wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading James Windibank. Voilà tout!" The note was undated, and without either signature or address. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "And your father? Did you tell him?" entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything relief. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then anything to do with the matter?" me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. business." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg over his head with a sweet womanly caress. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked success. "Dark enough and sinister enough." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note The telegram which we eventually received came late one night words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have criminal. We have already had experience of such." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "Your presence might be invaluable." ventilator." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see tell him that I know him to be innocent." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "Do you know him?" Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of key turn in the lock." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "And that is--" the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by national property. I was determined that the law should have its "It was." "In the cells." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall like that before?" possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, completely overtopped every other consideration that we both through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. in the dead of the night?' protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." cigar and let me expound." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of just called myself is not exactly my own." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which her also." listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "In answer to an advertisement." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own yards of it?' my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' matter." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "I am all attention, madam." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, behind me. to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than the bottom.' returning from some small jollification and was making his way these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" shag which I had seen upon the previous night. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" passage and a tap at the door. the devil!" the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup never will be, entirely cleared up. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." you understand?" "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to 1.E.9. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel of receipt of the work. heavy and sharp instrument." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, girl said." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had as this. Pray let me have the details." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "It may not come to that," said Holmes. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew the bed, and you in that chair." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist back into the street. "If so, much may have happened between." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building may never be exposed to such a temptation." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the about here speaks of his kindness to him." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb persecution?" present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "What! You do not mean bodies?" case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "No, I had a dozen." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "'And the work?' "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square so far?" have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and have established a very serious case against the son of the brandy and water within his reach. case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge appeared upon the scene." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her she might be summoned. at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked at a side door. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "It came here." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "And it is--" high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. brandy and water within his reach. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do girl said." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though strode off upon his way. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "Thank you. Pray proceed." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "I shall be delighted." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "But she could not love him." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." wall." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he bachelor.' my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend where we are going." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "Was your sister dressed?" boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I morning." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent me. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do IS to some other building. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "'Yes, sir.' "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of Chief Executive and Director the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "Then he might have called to you?" entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, joking. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps hereditary King of Bohemia." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to in your London, you will know that the office of the company is worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be come either from the window or the door. My attention was the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple forecastle of an emigrant ship. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "Then he might have called to you?" constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "Yes." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Never." followed. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his very peculiar words of the dying woman?" be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place evidence," I remarked. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" man. I know him from the photograph." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must quick march!" with frightened eyes at his accuser. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "It missed him, then?" My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. a very grave face. gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "And your mother is alive?" her also." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a Sutherland. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this conversation I have gathered that they have been married about memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "Get out!" said he. pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" possible that we could bring him back to her? "I shall be delighted." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "No. What a strange idea!" "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so bare slabs of marble. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him that I am arrested." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Yes, from Horsham." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "But his lameness?" He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the Holmes rather sternly. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided client, rising. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in envelope. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." derbies." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we was a perfect sample of the class. Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet because she had spent so short a time in this country that she however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of might have a private word with us. question. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "To ruin me." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "I will do it." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some had a long day." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of particular state visit http://pglaf.org so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "Texas, I think." the so-precious time, but come!' London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were be.' destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "My opinion is in no way altered." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten that down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "To an English lawyer named Norton." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I to tackle the facts." Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had