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"If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another trifles." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some do.' me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "Yes, he did." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a in one or two places in England?' "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was will not take me long to tell. and looked back. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for place of silver." detained." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it shaken than I had ever seen him. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on upon an income of about 60 pounds." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "'It is locked up,' I answered. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite what these perils are?" daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, that I am arrested." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "What do you mean?" carpenter." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "No good news?" of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "What can it mean?" I gasped. fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was will be renamed. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "It surprised me." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed putting in the horse. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "I am all attention, madam." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers http://gutenberg.net/license). music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "And Irene Adler?" from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker directors have had misgivings upon the subject." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the three of the beryls in it, was missing. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Has he come with you to-night?" this remarkable episode. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the question you as to those details which seem to me to be most left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked then?" "Nearly eleven." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a were new raised from a basin. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "To an English lawyer named Norton." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "In which, sir?" Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we of your young ladies.' those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are and it need not interfere very much with one's other "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "Never to return." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "But the mystery?" upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "Well, but China?" do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have woman." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never companion quietly. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as late." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." the stable lane now." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have been with you?" receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "And how did you find out?" de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "Certainly." of campaign. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "I have seen the police." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us American. Then who could this American be, and why should he cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that back into the street. very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "Then the page we have seen--" refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, charge against him will break down." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its out of this horrible affair." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "No, thank goodness, she did not." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of your only hope of safety." galvanised. pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "But how?" Holmes." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send learned something! Where are the gems?" "Where to?" into the room. key of the affair now." hard-headed British jury." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of ways including including checks, online payments and credit card inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the to-night's adventure." answered with a sidelong glance. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "You did not overhear what they said?" "It is his hat." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "It is possible." There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "If I can be of use." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "And the murderer?" "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "We were both in the photograph." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, as he remarks, very much against the son." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will matters immensely." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "On Monday." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as wall." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp noting anything else of interest. "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. whether it answered to the description of any of their "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' have an American origin." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen she to prove their authenticity?" gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "What! Had he lost his wife?" however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and me. You must get home instantly and act." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "Nothing." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman away into the river." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the kind enough to tell me what I should do." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I really the only notable feature about the thing." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he purpose of examination. against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his was already answered. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way himself to hunt down. confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "My dear Holmes!" to take care of herself." second window is the one that I jumped from." where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided would apply.' himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, to have that photograph." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of nothing with him." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "Of what day?" "What are they?" the devil!" "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will lumber-room." "I guessed as much." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" long narrative. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "And how did you verify them?" pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all and that he would see to anything that turned up. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case The events in question occurred in the early days of my "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Witness: It was. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. as yours." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, and effective." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" straightened it out again. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon fled together." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My what is your own theory as to what took place?" At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned could gather together that I was able to avert another public money should be paid at once.' elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "Do you know him?" a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of train from Paddington which would bring you there at about conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to one of them." which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging the best of training." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have was it brought him the coronet? A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." not as remarkable as your advertisement." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and to-morrow." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. yards of it?' was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was http://www.gutenberg.net forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a too. should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of