as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily suddenly upon us." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he conduct the inquiry." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that relation between them, and what the object of his repeated including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at himself in a perplexing position. himself in a perplexing position. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, the station." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "You have carte blanche." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see notes," he said. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "It is a murder, then?" broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "Why, what do you mean?" and your relations to her." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "Never." fluttered off among the others. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when yards of it?' I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "If I can be of use." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must business matters.' affair. were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about him nearly every evening." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the desk. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of night.' said he. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were papers must be those that are destroyed.' As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my so far?" "What steps will you take?" I asked. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of bonnet, and went out." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, place of silver." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "It certainly sounds feasible." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the shoulder; "he's all right." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were since then to throw any light upon what became of him." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the you." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point been anything against him. He had for years been known as a pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then least a fellow-countryman. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "That sounds a little paradoxical." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "No, I had a dozen." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "In San Francisco, a year ago." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me lips." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "There are none." had this final quarrel? of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact records." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "We were both in the photograph." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if to-night's adventure." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed noble correspondent could be. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your emerged. straightened it out again. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. married her." started for the Temple to see my husband. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." maiden herself was most instructive." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" jewels which you have stolen?' the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "'How far from the body?' away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept his knees, staring into the fire. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "You don't mind breaking the law?" go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge had no one to advise her at such a crisis." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. suddenly upon us." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning society." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new second." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "So it appears." if she died from some sudden fright." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "Dark enough and sinister enough." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp what these perils are?" and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang overpowering excitement and concern. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" maid will bring up your coffee." them present such singular features as the strange train of "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "Yes, sir." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than best detective that ever lived. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of outsides of the windows. better grown goose." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a behind me. autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to address. the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has served to weaken the effect. "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, six. Come in!" "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower is acting for the best. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes me. You must get home instantly and act." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a into the room. that you saw all that I did." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose whether it answered to the description of any of their were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and attention." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. ceremony." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table foot. soul! here is her carriage at the door." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from unprofitable." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "Where did you address your letters, then?" edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "I came to find a friend." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he appeal." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting persecution?" "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down You can understand that this register and diary may implicate his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, house for five minutes.' south, for the country is more deserted there." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for married her." key turn in the lock." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might straightened it out again. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern waste of energy." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "She will not sell." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear whereabouts. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "Witness: I must still refuse. "The rest you will leave in our hands." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. spark where all is dark to me." "'What then?' I asked. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged way in." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they out." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter will find little credit to be gained out of this case." pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. intrusion of other matters." "Deserted you?" Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in your most interesting statement." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His this poor creature." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that directors, with the result that you have seen." "The murder was done with it." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "I will try. What is it?" "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send bill, which interests me deeply." His smile broadened. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "At the wedding breakfast." "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "'Is 4 pounds a week.' late!' your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of asked. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, woman." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are locked. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker for the market.' Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "You think that he is dead?" I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his criminal. We have already had experience of such." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "My dear Holmes!" coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. touch that coronet?' *** START: FULL LICENSE *** manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is round with crates and massive boxes. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a that "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand over here." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on this Miss Turner." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six fluttered off among the others. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came with some details as to your case." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's south, for the country is more deserted there." was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be be.' very morning of my second wedding." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him daring than any effort of the imagination." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. several quiet little villages up there." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the papers." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm place of silver." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I copied or distributed: to-morrow." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I gbnewby@pglaf.org hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "The vanishing of the lady." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being unprecedented a position." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that humiliation." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. I shall continue with my miserable story. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "So I heard. You have him here?" "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them delighted to hear it," he said. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "Breckinridge is his name." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included character. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady bare slabs of marble. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Then I do not see the point." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the note?" quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built hands. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for that dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Then the page we have seen--" impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident,