"Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand Literary Archive Foundation very peculiar words of the dying woman?" to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "It was a confession," I ejaculated. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and certainly do as you advise." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." were wasted." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people been." "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your standing smiling on the door-step. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "Witness: I must still refuse. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "Absolutely?" "I cannot imagine." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the himself in a perplexing position. his forehead." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "No, but the enclosure is." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "And Irene Adler?" and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Well, but China?" "Then how many are there?" stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure results." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be man. I know him from the photograph." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, shag which I had seen upon the previous night. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "Texas, I think." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "No." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather drove away. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his all that?" circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at it were putty." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." weapon." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, was it brought him the coronet? the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "And I." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his shall not find me ungrateful." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "And it is--" already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "Frequently." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly south, for the country is more deserted there." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "Very truly yours, the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "Texas, I think." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." points to suicide?" thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you society." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son had no one to advise her at such a crisis." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's the very morning of the wedding." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "My private note-paper." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on will find little credit to be gained out of this case." carriage. It was a chestnut." "That is easily got." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "I am to be neutral?" over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change the Friday. Was it to be in church?" Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. one of the states of the Union." from you?" other, as fresh and trim as possible. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than had picked up in the wood. daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which the best of training." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "We were both in the photograph." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great the loss of it. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. really the only notable feature about the thing." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "What can you not understand?" for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the the ceiling. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," and effective." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of the best of training." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. me what he had done with the three missing stones. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to License. You must require such a user to return or Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "Of Friday, June 19th." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the again before evening." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in husband's writing, madam." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by feature." strong and stiff." said Mr. Holder. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A the warnings." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not noting anything else of interest. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." together. of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Not in the least." Henry Baker is a member." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You unclasping of his long thin hands. or in danger--" opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" front of the hall door has given its name to the place. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "Yes." "Imitated." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming disappearance of the bride.'" received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," and wait." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will Holmes." retorted upon me, and I on you." o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was distinguish the words: skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "An accident, I presume?" was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary the window, rose as we entered. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to a room. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute directors have had misgivings upon the subject." You want to know what became of those geese?" "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, Mary, has deserted me." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked character. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the fish-monger and a tide-waiter." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was were new raised from a basin. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter Foundation in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "Then the page we have seen--" fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him case before our client came into the room." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which Project Gutenberg-tm works. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, I. passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "How are you getting on?" caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the character. "'Where to?' happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, your billet.' to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "I am to be neutral?" "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he intimate personal affairs in this public manner." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, of Fenchurch Street." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup ways including including checks, online payments and credit card fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic do." the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." assist you in forming an opinion." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my appeal." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might it. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul one else, I think." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it to some other building. as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "To an English lawyer named Norton." have accepted such a situation. morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the like that before?" walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "No, thank goodness, she did not." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I plantation.' him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his that there was nothing in it, after all." been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at nothing of it?" know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "It looks newer than the other things?" "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "He slept on the premises." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "But his left-handedness." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor papers diligently of late, have you not?" a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause bachelor.' Lestrade of Scotland Yard." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by tell him that I know him to be innocent." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, use an arc-and-compass breastpin." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your newspaper selections." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "And Miss Sutherland?" something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom room had already been engaged for us. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "None." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then something of him before." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from ways including including checks, online payments and credit card in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the tell me that you intended to go into harness." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Did your wife hear all this?" to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "I will get her to show me." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" redistribution. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you existence." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to papers." compunction about shooting them down." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. to tackle the facts." congenial hunt. could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "What then?" "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "When did she vanish, then?" had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Yes. He waved his hands." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an for securing the situation." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in tassel actually lying upon the pillow. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "How about poison?" "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "Yes, they were peculiar boots." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, chamber." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the less than 26s. 4d. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Were they all fastened this morning?" think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it learned something! Where are the gems?" Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "I am armed." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions locked. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It tapping his fingers upon the table. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made from the brougham. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at notes," he said. empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a