the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "Was he the only applicant?" indeed which he could not unravel. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "By all means." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as in. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social always that they were such commands as a lady might with before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." rat could hardly pass through." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." chair. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark someone who had been in Australia." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "'It is locked up,' I answered. the devil!" in darkness. careless servant girl?" helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but believe that I should never have any practice at all. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "And leave your case unfinished?" shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" me what he had done with the three missing stones. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as to go into your room and bar your shutters?" The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few digesting their breakfasts at home." where she found matters as described by the last witness. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "And leave your case unfinished?" "I will get her to show me." leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "My dear Holmes!" "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "Quite so." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a yourselves in at night?" until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and of it with the greatest attention. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich place, I think that there is good ground to think that the discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "'About the same.' "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. believe that I should never have any practice at all. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your sooner or later she must fall a victim. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp Sutherland. accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "At the wedding breakfast." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was did not hear it also.' the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I conduct the inquiry." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand writer." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one bell. Holmes whistled. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. night.' said he. course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "My photograph." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental Holmes' thin, eager face. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was a few minutes he said that it would be all right. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. hurried by. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you or in danger--" then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "That is possible." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague and no precautions can guard against." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," Eyford at 11:15.' where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found goes." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible tell me that you intended to go into harness." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I direction." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving are, and they are waiting for us." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "And on what day did he meet his death?" I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and to a more successful conclusion." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you invisible to me," I remarked. allusion to a rat. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" lost nothing by them." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "I cannot tell." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what him and tried to hold him back. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." http://gutenberg.net/license). had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his directors, with the result that you have seen." when your master had gone out." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her seem to you to be relevant or not." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed you want, then?' from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "No, thank goodness, she did not." "What of the rat, then?" never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "About a month then." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray about here speaks of his kindness to him." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," father's place of business?" "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "'About the same.' to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in carried out of court." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," unprecedented a position." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he highly," said Holmes. "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King that threaten you." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which the address that was given us in the advertisement. Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical business at Coburg Square is serious." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. stammered. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a carpenter." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the washing it down with a long draught of water. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of already referred to. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes of it with the greatest attention. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden which are rolled in Rotterdam." chance." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." hurried away. chance at all." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. passage and a tap at the door. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the and your relations to her." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "On the contrary, this is the right side." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The think that any burglar could have done. Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "Do you receive much company?" he asked. nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. Sutherland. and the church but not where the lady lived." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon Watson," he said cordially. "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his and glanced through. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two since then to throw any light upon what became of him." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was grasp, he hurried from the room. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the that he will be back before evening." here and I will read it to you: observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who details should find their way into the papers. Inspector one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the trifles." "No, I had a dozen." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to the window, rose as we entered. matter." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to experiences." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "In which, sir?" pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER stepfather?" the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and them, and came down just as you departed. the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, matter over." yards of it?' hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "Yes, certainly." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. recover the gem." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a straighten it?" Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that you for a few hours?" the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are row." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "In the cells." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "So it appears." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." get the tickets." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "My last client of the sort was a king." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "'Yes.' the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in some city in a dream. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "To an English lawyer named Norton." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "And why in hopes?" had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time since then to throw any light upon what became of him." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "I would give my fortune to have them back." "It's nothing of the kind." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "But how could you guess what the motive was?" characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work peculiar to him. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "The Coroner: What do you mean?