can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than happened." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced my former friend and companion. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes matters immensely." as he remarks, very much against the son." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "Deserted you?" "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers strength of mind to control. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I chance." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "In the cells." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "How about poison?" I leave." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At not as remarkable as your advertisement." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." go back?" "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "You did not overhear what they said?" minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with during which he might have communicated with his friend the pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt ventilator." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "Pray tell us what has happened to you." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, of this gang." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" such person." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client over here." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "I do." The events in question occurred in the early days of my Edgeware Road. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow Pope's Court. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you bled considerably." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all we went to search for him, face downward in a little standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and most interesting one." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was made his money." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "Dark enough and sinister enough." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "I don't believe it." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 page at http://pglaf.org Mary, has deserted me." off." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "The Cedars?" "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, people in all walks of life. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots I. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "I shall most certainly do so." him nearly every evening." certainly not very gracious." "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the minor matters until to-morrow." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." astonishment. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' lost nothing by them." have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a is acting for the best. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who him to go away.' red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "You horrify me." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. said he. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not yet." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all call the police, let the police find what they can.' young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "Yes." "Whose house is it?" turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "Yes, it was twisted." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, dates and names. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining thin legs towards the fire. exactly what you advise." clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "Certainly." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. you." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, to-morrow." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his to affect your life." developed." "But how?" "And the cigar-holder?" time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "'Oh, no.' his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." but preventing her from injuring another. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He as yours." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "Then how many are there?" One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that have an American origin." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What and no precautions can guard against." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "I do." least a fellow-countryman. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is window when the police appeared." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings strength of mind to control. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy me, and I could not think that his explanation of the that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange of receipt of the work. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate is four-and-twenty." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "'About the same.' 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm he bowed and left the room without another word. could gather together that I was able to avert another public unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out bird of prey. lectures into a series of tales." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was remarked. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there weapon." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "What!" he roared. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "It must be recovered." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. enter into my head. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "Never." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect out of this horrible affair." arrested. You then--" suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning possible that we could bring him back to her? before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in dramatic, in fact." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I head. So long, then!" "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. and looked back. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel to some other building. him, that man would not have given me such complete information "In which, sir?" cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. at once, for I have only half an hour." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "What! You do not mean bodies?" We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to soul! here is her carriage at the door." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into hour?' while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered remarked. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is I took the paper from him and read as follows: any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a was feeling which was the fattest.' Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. your billet.' out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "Come in!" said he. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after could not have written that. It is the German who is so large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the Holmes' face clouded over. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. outside. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, she to prove their authenticity?" "We must have a cab." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the young Openshaw's." heavily into it. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more up this clue while it is still hot." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can article?" little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "And I." she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be entirely lost his self-respect." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and himself to hunt down. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" for its centre. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements will not take me long to tell. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps face and glided from the room. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the thin legs towards the fire. other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for his forehead." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten already referred to. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "I see many objections to any such theory." you came in." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire what these perils are?" know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On wall." fatally injured? building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "In what way?" asked Holmes. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "When did she vanish, then?" "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking telegram would bring me down to your help." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his more terrible than the truth. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, you." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle his fortune, and I went back to pa. "Come in!" said Holmes. when your master had gone out." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, friend's singular character. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "Yes." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may