the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "My dear Holmes!" And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, not come at once?" more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself you in yours." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a him nearly every evening." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among without success. At last the little money which I had saved began about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your note?" his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only newspaper selections." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "Then he might have called to you?" "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would about. with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these noise which awoke you from your sleep?" case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its seen the man in the road." dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" carriage. It was a chestnut." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have very peculiar words of the dying woman?" this man was intellectual?" "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." been with you?" room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the upon the shelf for the interim." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." married her." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are ordinary clothes on?" she has been waylaid. There has been no result." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what mysterious business." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that locked. do you make of it all?" weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not our word." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to that you saw all that I did." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "It certainly sounds feasible." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the the running down." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would companion. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon them, and came down just as you departed. carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the way in everything. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "It is very kind of you." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "What do you mean?" absorbing." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for along the entire front of the house, with three long windows sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. to surprise her." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his really the only notable feature about the thing." cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, presume?" were wasted." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen friend's singular character. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more late!' "Yes, all." have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." to-night." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, His smile broadened. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank read it out to me." is worth.' "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project not come at once?" ill-usage at the hands of fortune. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of wedding?" though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he foot. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was affection." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." upon the sideboard." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but of the way of danger. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "My private note-paper." "Nothing?" keep the flames under. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. this as likely?" the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight seen the man in the road." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was to arrive at through this?" not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to horse could go." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "Yes, at the mines." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "What! Had he lost his wife?" I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more already referred to. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled a suggestive one." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my guilty one." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband if she died from some sudden fright." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed This is what he says: The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my not as remarkable as your advertisement." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further digesting their breakfasts at home." "'Entirely.' never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors hereditary King of Bohemia." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is call the police, let the police find what they can.' said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he wife's character?" from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a the coroner come to?" "At what time?" client, rising. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the mysterious end." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want were wasted." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Precisely so. But how--" there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "Have you her photograph?" cause to be." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we records." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "Then I am your man." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "Well, but China?" centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the would then never go into court at all." think, you have already met." read over the extraordinary announcement. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though him. everything which you would wish to know." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to noting anything else of interest. "'What do you call purely nominal?' there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "BALLARAT." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to down from London to inquire more deeply into it." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless late!' "Yes, it would be as well." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She dead, shall be safe with us." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." occurred." breakfast." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." to-night?' round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Why did you beat the pavement?" I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in during the last few years, and there are many noble families to begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue I approached. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the Pope's Court. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of is acting for the best. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different bare slabs of marble. said he at last. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. must compliment you." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers will be renamed. "Where, then?" surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "'I am sure if I had known--' with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my Doctor, of the paper and the date." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made what I may call a really hard day's work." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at lids now and glanced across at his visitor. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Your presence might be invaluable." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" must compliment you." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for sound at heart." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "It is very clear." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little presume?" including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "It's nothing of the kind." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of look dissatisfied." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I him. appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "Nothing?" by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that works. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "And why in hopes?" All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something of the efforts of the United States government and of the better natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence his huge brown hands. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "'What do you call purely nominal?' spare." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss