"We must have a cab." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been skylight. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very Countess of Morcar's?" "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "Her father is very rich?" honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a Arthur Conan Doyle Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "What will you say?" own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be village inn over there?" caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed obstinate." might have a private word with us. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You said he at last. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could strong reason behind." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and your equipment. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's became a certainty. "It is true that I have been generally successful." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to cigars in the box." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or figure." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but occurred." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "And sit in the dark?" hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug one which it was hard to resist. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "It came here." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled coroner's jury." occupations.' "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "Of Friday, June 19th." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, prepare for the new role I have to play." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her tassel actually lying upon the pillow. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had indeed happy." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "But you can know nothing of this?" slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your and it need not interfere very much with one's other "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of handed it to him. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age deduce something from that?" overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being hands. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable business?" "No, finished." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "Witness: It was. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "Certainly, madam." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against had died away into the silence from which it rose. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "My last client of the sort was a king." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very Clair, of Lee." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each the inner apartment." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their rooms." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "She walked into the breakfast-room." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her train.' about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back you in your example." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "Thank you. Pray proceed." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you from the brougham. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some electronic works "'About the same.' "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number gone. money should be paid at once.' tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and yourselves in at night?" outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "And on what day did he meet his death?" the nursery. It may be so in this case, also." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since strong reason behind." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which be.' most interesting one." of the one which your family is now devouring." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to records." morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "Of what day?" perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "Yes." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "Deserted you?" and I shall be with you presently." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold written. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done floor. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, man. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." Where does the thing come from?' man. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the lost his Christmas dinner." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at away into the river." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "Perhaps I have." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "I was mad--insane." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before him. "You horrify me!" He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have get the tickets." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "Her father is very rich?" "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH he died? and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is arrangements." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at hurried away. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "Well, it is a possible supposition." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the should be taken.' nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this it." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness your equipment. "What can you not understand?" Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the daring than any effort of the imagination." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the way in everything. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version yourselves in at night?" "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known important." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it returning from some small jollification and was making his way "I am following you closely," I answered. individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are this Miss Turner." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "At what time?" very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my Munro.' "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. the coronet in his hand?" daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as tell me that you intended to go into harness." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased guilty one." have I gained?" one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "How did he come?" But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. been deceived." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must memory. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, Watson," he said cordially. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding coroner's jury." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "You did not overhear what they said?" soul! here is her carriage at the door." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what been anything against him. He had for years been known as a wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The is acting for the best. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "Which are?" and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with Henry Baker is a member." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing out." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I of them has the shutters up.' "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. pressing in one house as in another. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "Yes?" last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of her also." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may This is what he says: methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "But it has twice been burgled." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "I should like to see him very much." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "It is very kind of you." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said than to us. said I. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "'Certainly not. But why?' mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "'Yes, sir.' it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and that I may have something better before very many minutes are our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "He is still with you, I presume?" thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "I cannot say that I have." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name what do you think they found in the pockets?" and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "In which, sir?" contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry easy-going way." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood 1.F. and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa for the market.' male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue.