"I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "By all means." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "No, distinctly professional." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my telegram would bring me down to your help." the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and roused himself from his reverie. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "I will not look." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he south, for the country is more deserted there." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. whole matter to your consideration." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can villagers almost as much as their master. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a room had already been engaged for us. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself so.' has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, are windows in it, of course?" it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little whereabouts. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we once more. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution my special province." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched I. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "No." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to *** START: FULL LICENSE *** I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy particular state visit http://pglaf.org have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." entirely devoid of interest." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "Dirty?" Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the the matter." him. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they this Miss Turner." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some foresight and the moral retrogression?" "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "Not social, then?" Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, have got?" understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he happened." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "Ha! you find it so?" your equipment. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the it." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural perplexity from it to my illustrious client. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. dates and names. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have in darkness. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he towards the blaze. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "No." take the flies, but not before." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then wedding?" of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. Serpentine Avenue. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps furiously. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick she used." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" cigars in their mouths. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "It was." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had manager. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless of the efforts of the United States government and of the better matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" neither fascinating nor artistic." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and standing smiling on the door-step. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not II. the roots. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "I will try. What is it?" inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the undoubtedly my uncle's." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy touch that coronet?' means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "Certainly." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted some water from a caraffe. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that I nodded to show that I had heard. "'I have already given you my word.' the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed Munro.' "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his examine." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "I answered that I had not. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all there has been an enclosure here!" him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my head. So long, then!" "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and down from London to inquire more deeply into it." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, father's place of business?" "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came three of the beryls in it, was missing. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows III. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, one's self under obligations.' commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. out." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single already referred to. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see into the room. mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "How many? I don't know." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "In heaven's name, what for?" "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "Then you may be so with me." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all photograph?" village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for shoulder; "he's all right." one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice certainly do as you advise." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the future lives." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must drove away. it were putty." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her hair?' shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "'Yes, sir.' Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. visitors." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the crowd. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very to change my dress. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that cheerful." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "ARAT," I read. advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set even of instruction." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "Frequently." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "But we can't all be." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he cigar and let me expound." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs Young McCarthy must be got off, however." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "Then I am your man." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "Dirty?" Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "I am sure." be. is worth.' "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to that I am arrested." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings nights." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am passage and a tap at the door. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "It is possible." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. have an American origin." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he for and were ordered to this address. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "And how did you verify them?" "Her father is very rich?" said I. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, not use it unless it is absolutely needed." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes him. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "A call for help, you thought?" Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my he bowed and left the room without another word. sparkled upon his finger. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands characteristics, but those are the more obvious." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this three fields round his house, and there he would take his laugh and put his lips to my ear. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I where Mr. Fordham shows you.' Holmes." "Then, as to money?" "Yes, I have one waiting." good for you to do.' greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he fluttered off among the others. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "How did he come?" Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "And now?" I asked. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the to Leatherhead. been lifted and conveyed somewhere." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." Gutenberg-tm License. on re-entering her father's house?" "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "But how will you look?" looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "Yes, only one." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots business at Coburg Square is serious." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; in my life." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "But what is it you wish?" which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house have got?" company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." woven round him. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those over part of the map. "What do you read?" assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my that he will be back before evening." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "'What would be the hours?' I asked. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had the Friday. Was it to be in church?" by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we to that open window." cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can it? Did I buy the geese off you?" some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted persecution?" "But you would not advise me to refuse?" garden below. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "Certainly." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "What are they?" way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in