with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "You have carte blanche." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "'Stolen!' he cried. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel thirty. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I promised to bring home. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was *** START: FULL LICENSE *** solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I Watson," he said cordially. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the place no limit on the sum I may draw." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept his face which made him a very different person to the round, that he has suffered." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "I cannot imagine." o'clock is it?" American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a the salesman. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. look dissatisfied." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "You have carte blanche." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "About a month then." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still strength of mind to control. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive gone before you can get him to hospital." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, leaning back in his chair. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform Arthur Conan Doyle charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair digesting their breakfasts at home." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "Of what?" "Yes." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "Stolen, then." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense views." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door chance." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' should be so warm over such a trifle." official police." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face her also." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the at once, for I have only half an hour." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a upon a handsome competence. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" shoulder. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" he. "Yes." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found you understand?" "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "You have it, sir, just as it happened." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." silent! Oh, he will be silent!' gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his own family. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be directors have had misgivings upon the subject." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue His name is Francis Prosper." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the at my own good fortune. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a carriage. It was a chestnut." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of four million human beings all jostling each other within the "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "The Coroner: What do you mean? thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my pressing in one house as in another. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "It certainly sounds feasible." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no round with crates and massive boxes. ashen face. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of green of the new foliage. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then depend upon my doing so.' We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "A call for help, you thought?" "Is he quiet?" roused himself from his reverie. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. Pool. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "'Never,' said I. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his of note-paper. It read in this fashion: Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed as this. Pray let me have the details." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of said Mr. Holder. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story one's self under obligations.' brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident that you wished to speak to me?' only touch the interest." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may companion. deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "I am all attention, madam." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and have one." he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent made him keep the appointment." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "He is still with you, I presume?" inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." little adventures." yards of it?' the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which and put his glass in his pocket. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. held up the lantern and gazed about him. "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. not, dad?" she asked. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you any." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call to his chemical studies. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him man. "He is dead," cried several voices. about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "Why, it's a dummy," said he. and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his The events in question occurred in the early days of my every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found main points of my analysis." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner and that he would see to anything that turned up. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "Yes, only one." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he from you?" 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "'Which dealer's?' bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "What will you say?" Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "'About the same.' and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had could gather together that I was able to avert another public august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to Count Von Kramm." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "You are all wrong." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and useful material for showing traces. The double line a little hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I chair. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the window when the police appeared." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "Yes." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "I think that I had better go, Holmes." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "Not particularly." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and feature." assist you in forming an opinion." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "Certainly." his cane at the bell-pull. "10th. John Swain cleared. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "Yes." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could bill, which interests me deeply." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "It is his hat." "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke it right.' "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two there in twenty minutes." who was a member of your goose club." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' to some other building. points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he straighten it?" always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings your billet.' away in different directions, and I went off to make my own 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon hopeless attempt at recovering them." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be the address that was given us in the advertisement. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "'Ten to two.' "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to himself in a perplexing position. "Certainly, madam." have I gained?" conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the you?" *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "Oh, yes, easily." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "Pray tell us what has happened to you." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "ARAT," I read. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as unkempt, staring out at me. when your master had gone out." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders the running down." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she Lestrade of Scotland Yard." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, not fit the lock." and a shock of very red hair. the stones. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of Miss Holder?" investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "The landlord of the Alpha." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of shall not find me ungrateful." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the light and attacked it." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands case before our client came into the room." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully retorted upon me, and I on you." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white bedroom door." of this gang." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "And how did he make his money?" in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, see me here to avoid scandal." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that and looked back. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his companion quietly. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached it? Did I buy the geese off you?" not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend is worth.' dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." or other trace. But how on earth--" "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "It certainly sounds feasible." could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at himself to tell his story. that you wished to speak to me?' coat-tails." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch vague figure huddled up in the darkness. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow about. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the if I call to-morrow?" dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "Of what?" is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay;