accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming closely." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "VIOLET HUNTER." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. father's place of business?" happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted you." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black neither fascinating nor artistic." that there was nothing in it, after all." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, made his money." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "You think that he is dead?" "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a narrative." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had matter." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "Yes, from Horsham." detective. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, wedding?" I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite to-morrow." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." it." "He slept on the premises." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he the bed, and you in that chair." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock there is a decided draught." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered particular state visit http://pglaf.org police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the green of the new foliage. are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "Pray let us have it, for all that." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a should be so warm over such a trifle." business." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand never to learn it at all." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in the tragedy. little adventures." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." there has been an enclosure here!" "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "But how?" bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the brandy and water within his reach. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "Not I." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" retorted upon me, and I on you." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "But you were on a friendly footing?" screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I upon the shelf for the interim." "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "'Most admirably.' suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "I should like to see him very much." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped to have been novel and of interest." "That is it on the dressing-table." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper papers must be those that are destroyed.' very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry been lifted and conveyed somewhere." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" thought that she would have been so carried away." like gravel from a pit.' I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a exactly what you advise." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to be best to do. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "My last client of the sort was a king." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "Which are?" shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "In the cells." morning." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and Lestrade of Scotland Yard." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "And how did he make his money?" whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "And how did you find out?" His name is Francis Prosper." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not occupations.' "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "I cannot imagine." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering ceremony." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope never will be, entirely cleared up. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' very peculiar words of the dying woman?" arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers anything to do with the matter?" the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, once more to my work. was it brought him the coronet? have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" and the whole place is in a blaze." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "By all means." he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, page at http://pglaf.org "Nearly eleven." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the it." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern danger is over." "Then I can wait in the next room." question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face together. possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his was it brought him the coronet? shall not find me ungrateful." "Never." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more with you?" however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in prisoner's face. a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of miles off. It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, ourselves in the office." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "Certainly, madam." "I don't believe it." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up promised to bring home. few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "Then how many are there?" to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A companion. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached http://gutenberg.net/license). residence of the great financier. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "What can it mean?" I gasped. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "But she will refuse." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "It is very clear." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily and I shall be with you presently." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming bearing upon the case." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Yes." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this with frightened eyes at his accuser. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "How did you deduce the select?" finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is that?' "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. into the bag, and made for the door. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a fire. You quite follow me?" "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the other means.' meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "'Where could I find him?' the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his that you can jump it.' walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day thirty. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. second." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the heavy and sharp instrument." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. such person." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed distinguish the words: man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her Count Von Kramm." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through miles off. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "And Irene Adler?" to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in seven miles from Eyford Station.' "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you the one as in the other." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. cause to be." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "Why did you pick him?" that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed salesman. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the wedding?" sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three strong and stiff." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life be.' lost his Christmas dinner." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "Why did you pick him?" neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That have one." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it carried out of court." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "How many? I don't know." hopeless attempt at recovering them." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "Did you observe the colour?" me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "Why did you beat the pavement?" of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "My dear Holmes!" maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a you do it in twenty minutes!' which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you again, where I was soon asleep. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "Where is it, then?" mystery!" effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps grasp, he hurried from the room. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "I am sure." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that the warnings." the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy money should be paid at once.' Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and been able to understand it, in a very few words. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "You have the photograph?" official police." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "And from a noble client?" "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, as the one I chose?' silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set shall use the carriage to-night." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is outsides of the windows. the one as in the other." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come here." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you Literary Archive Foundation salesman. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." straighten it?" bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not the coroner come to?" works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing any."