cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "By no means." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and entirely devoid of interest." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up key of the affair now." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in man. I know him from the photograph." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding evidence," I remarked. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. of your young ladies.' performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Come in!" said he. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the and the colonel ushered me in. "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "My dear Holmes!" grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of woman who has had her own way to make in the world. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the your co-operation." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far clanging. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior a room. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "I was certainly surprised to find you there." The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet not within a twentieth part of the market price." "I have hopes." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw think you a quite exceptional woman." said he at last. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, intrusion of other matters." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy me, and I could not think that his explanation of the than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his His smile broadened. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I politicians who had been sent down from the North. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a girl said." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's flock.' The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water highroad, where all traces were lost. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and quick march!" lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part in one or two places in England?' Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "My last client of the sort was a king." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your there were so many in the whole country as were brought together stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "I would pay ten." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." to you." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "Yes." furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "That is unusual in a young girl." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face both be extremely obliged.' "Game for a morning drive?" wife's character?" "Very truly yours, reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a fled together." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this desk. pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and speckled band?" I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. are, and they are waiting for us." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "Yes, but only for you and me." "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, know that the truth is known." intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would without success. At last the little money which I had saved began beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "'As governess?' time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition the date of his supposed suicide." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "It was an hour's good drive." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss mystery may be cleared along those lines." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do rose-bushes. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. spark where all is dark to me." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall I was concerned in it." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "What! Had he lost his wife?" that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a key of the affair now." "Yes, it was twisted." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' something of him before." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. guilty parties." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through could go. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, papers must be those that are destroyed.' business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Nothing?" thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "But not more so than I to find you." "I should like to see him very much." Countess of Morcar's?" with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch know all about it," he snarled. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains until night should bring an explanation. Countess of Morcar's?" "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began miles off. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the bill, which interests me deeply." writing, and yet I know it well." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "I answered that I had not. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average eat it." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "It's nothing of the kind." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "The King of Scandinavia." happened." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our already referred to. posted to-day." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten public press." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are Farm upon the left." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "'Quite sure, dad.' "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how hour?' squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim things are very often connected not with the larger but with the her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "None." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "It is true that I have been generally successful." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "Of what day?" "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner crime. "I am sure." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended brought there to personate someone, and the real person is sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "And I say east," said my patient. train.' "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily Pope's Court, Fleet Street." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "I promise," said Holmes. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much DISSOLVED. once more for Briony Lodge. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "I assure you that I am in your hands." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' awkward doing business with an alias." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "Then I do not see the point." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "And how in the world did you find them?" chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "9th. McCauley cleared. "Then you may be so with me." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning brought there to personate someone, and the real person is and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When children over to America with him, so that I found myself without long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "'Entirely.' coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that this Miss Turner." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle derbies." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the through." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, voice. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "Who was the criminal, then?" villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, depend upon my doing so.' Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than British peeress.'" brandy and water within his reach. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on sufficient punishment." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, and all of them with the keenest interest. 1.F. golden eyeglasses. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys where Mr. Fordham shows you.' and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far question," said Holmes, smiling. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "I think it very unlikely." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it that before taking the final step I should like to submit the to talk it over. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but answered with a sidelong glance. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Very well, sir. And this stone?" the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "I answered that I had not. Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found once more on the important position which you have been fortunate and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been searched, without anything being found which could incriminate unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of anything to a woman, for she would have her way." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. chamber." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor ashen face. The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but the loss of it. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I tassel actually lying upon the pillow. thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found three of the beryls in it, was missing. dates and names. sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the possible that we could bring him back to her? has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped people don't know." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, into her hand at the door and which lured her within their possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am at once, for I have only half an hour." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly Henry Baker is a member." is acting for the best.