"If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the there was no need for father to know." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a you." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in house for five minutes.' "No legal papers or certificates?" returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "Which are?" "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My this as likely?" many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "I fear not." "It missed him, then?" imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this there!' connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "And who is her maid?" Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because of the vacancies.' out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a away to you." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, opportunities to fix the problem. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when most important business. It is probable that he will be away all starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do again on its way. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me upon the shelf for the interim." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are notes," he said. "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with as yours." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the like that before?" "'Yes, sir.' "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "I shall be delighted." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can is," said he presently: Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush as he folded up the epistle. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of definite end. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet are, I think, all that we need." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Nor running a chance of arrest?" Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and me." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who said Mr. Holder. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "But who is he?" "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so do.' Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my later, upon the night of May 2nd." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "My dear Holmes!" "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the without success. At last the little money which I had saved began week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "But what will you do?" bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; the window, rose as we entered. "You'll never persuade me to believe that." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such strength." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear straightened it out again. and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your bore every mark of being an average commonplace British than to us. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy about. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from before the coroner and the police-court." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "'Which dealer's?' "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its and files of the old papers, following the future career of every did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never strode off upon his way. behind me. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "And now?" He raised his hand. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my had formerly been in part my own. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? of it with the greatest attention. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "'There is a drive, then?' he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "I would pay ten." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, where Mr. Fordham shows you.' of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very would apply.' doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "You will not go there first?" office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but friends, not even his own brother. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "And why in hopes?" "I will do it." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either bill, which interests me deeply." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the were wasted." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's happened." was keenly on my guard against him. absorbing." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter I nodded to show that I had heard. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months laugh and put his lips to my ear. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "He is dead," cried several voices. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a congenial hunt. array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be used to be." lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the the address that was given us in the advertisement. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "'What are you doing there?' he asked. ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I presented which may be striking and bizarre without being study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature derbies." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "I would give my fortune to have them back." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "Yes, they were peculiar boots." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "'Never.' any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you away to you." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I ourselves in the office." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing charge against him will break down." "Will you bet, then?" way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "He is still with you, I presume?" suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Nothing." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "You have compromised yourself seriously." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would annoyance, but no jest. pictures, libraries, or plate. writer." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a some terrible trap for her." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous foresight and the moral retrogression?" hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look mystery." lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet there was no need for father to know." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. was keenly on my guard against him. papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the astonishment. "But your client--" "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making vault. "How did that help you?" lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily outsides of the windows. "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "Well, but China?" unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of orange pips. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of said I. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "'Then let me do so?' look upon these things in a different way." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about outbreak?" change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "What, then?" solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had upon the sideboard." closely." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "I will do it." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the that you can jump it.' law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a sound at heart." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" with some details as to your case." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the lectures into a series of tales." "May I see it?" "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in stalked out of the room. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' true." mystery." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is in this note: opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "On Monday." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "Well, but China?" be there in time for your coming." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your that there was nothing in it, after all." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their you." soul! here is her carriage at the door." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" upon the white wrist. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told away into the river." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a fasten all the windows?" me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by you do it in twenty minutes!' paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "Oh, yes, easily." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, you in your example." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just you came in." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "Quite so. She has her freedom." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "Yes, sir." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had plantation.' come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow affection." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "Texas, I think." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he spark where all is dark to me." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or horse could go." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "That sounds a little paradoxical." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so too.