after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I introspective fashion. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Who by?" from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New present." yards of it?' was keenly on my guard against him. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "And what did you learn from him?" play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, never to learn it at all." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle best detective that ever lived. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! system of imprisonment?" behind me. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "In the cells." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter any more." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, your billet.' daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it know that the truth is known." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to the dangers which encompass me." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "ARAT," I read. wedding?" likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very when you have done it." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the Street. "And leave your case unfinished?" in. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH of the way of danger. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to roused himself from his reverie. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." Eyford." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I money should be paid at once.' some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform Does that suggest anything?" to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she must be when I saw the door open.' morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang tail." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather might have a private word with us. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. past. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "Get out!" said he. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I himself to tell his story. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no in him." look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it 11:15.' fat-encircled eyes. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few go--none." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "Where did you address your letters, then?" "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the which I could not give. He asked for Alice. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered outsides of the windows. "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "Yes." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the overpowering excitement and concern. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on girl said." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is few hundred pounds.' "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "Then how many are there?" Literary Archive Foundation "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "Nor running a chance of arrest?" time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices my special province." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "It is half-past ten now." by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in I held the little printed slip to the light. never to learn it at all." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "Deserted you?" with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" will be renamed. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I the Red-headed League." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock down from London to inquire more deeply into it." gigantic client. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it crackling voice. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of Chief Executive and Director him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a have had none more fantastic than this." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he never came back." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian evidence," I remarked. call it cruel." "Could he throw no light?" "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "What?" pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all in my life." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and undoubtedly my uncle's." stalked out of the room. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most foresight and the moral retrogression?" question," said Holmes, smiling. "None." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." you in yours." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your completely overtopped every other consideration that we both that there was nothing in it, after all." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." sparkled upon his finger. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "And did you observe any change in her then?" Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered individual and becomes the badge of a society." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by writing, and yet I know it well." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "But how?" of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I October 9, 1890. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "No legal papers or certificates?" and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere his face. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his Young McCarthy must be got off, however." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the where she found matters as described by the last witness. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." suspect him." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic be sorry for having acted so harshly." when your master had gone out." gentleman's clothes. "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "I will try. What is it?" "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it get the tickets." outside." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. fishes. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over for and were ordered to this address. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building chair. be best to do. your most interesting statement." the night.' "Yes." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need one's self under obligations.' could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "The Cedars?" residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a future lives." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "You horrify me." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern the station." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "I have come for advice." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed bled considerably." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He to me. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "But you have hopes?" all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "I am sure." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, strength." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house cigars in the box." "Proceed, then." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my from you?" hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "Have you her photograph?" possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "I cannot imagine." eat it." in the hope of finding them." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 you want, then?' "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "You heard nothing yourself last night?" the coroner come to?" "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about him to be an active member of the medical profession." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "Have you it here?" Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. round and wave him away like that.' prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone Watson," he said cordially. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. like that before?" to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay appeal." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the himself. something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been colour had been driven from his face. "You are hungry," I remarked. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and depend upon my doing so.' present." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his advice." hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more that I am arrested." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "'Very good.' a little more before I quite committed myself. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot away to you." never will be, entirely cleared up. you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "None. Neville wrote those words." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "No, finished." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. conduct the inquiry." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. easy-going way." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "Oh, yes, easily." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a within hail.' a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, during that time.' memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never