credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't crime." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle villagers almost as much as their master. bachelor.' his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "'Certainly not.' instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself spare." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, and the whole place is in a blaze." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too what these perils are?" whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. secret." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." John Swain, of St. Augustine. The police have openly confessed that they can at present make down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. his wife has ceased to love him." matters immensely." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "That also I could fathom." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the his cane at the bell-pull. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that for securing the situation." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of never to learn it at all." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so the ceiling. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "On the contrary, this is the right side." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "And that is--" face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried have an American origin." photograph?" For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." head. So long, then!" foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not manager. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the emerged. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge remarked. promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial Surrey." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. beg that you will break it off." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must reach." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "Her father is very rich?" sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He about. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "Absolutely?" her also." colonel looking down at me. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "That also I could fathom." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all said Mr. Holder. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." third from London." the date of his supposed suicide." certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I my room." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions Dr. Gregory B. Newby them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day delirious. empty. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "Eh? What was that?" "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming writer." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and voice, changing her seat as requested. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "And on what day did he meet his death?" man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" served to weaken the effect. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to I nodded to show that I had heard. "'In my own bureau.' I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is future lives." breakfast." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. learned something! Where are the gems?" rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' photograph a cabinet?" politicians who had been sent down from the North. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR shoulder. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "And what then?" had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "A call for help, you thought?" "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her Clair, of Lee." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. ordinary clothes on?" against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone galvanised. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. again before evening." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what less than 26s. 4d. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, second." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled again." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his lamp. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has purpose equally well?" her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "I fear not." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting colonel looking down at me. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and she to prove their authenticity?" o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." copied or distributed: written, and locked the door of the office after me. right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the ways including including checks, online payments and credit card copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "I shall most certainly do so." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the was the fact that his father should, according to his account, set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 the morning and make my own way in the world.' "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "I think it very unlikely." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his never will be, entirely cleared up. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "That is it on the dressing-table." very old mansion. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a furiously. passage and a tap at the door. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "What will you do, then?" pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped woman." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "Nor running a chance of arrest?" and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. matters immensely." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project national property. I was determined that the law should have its "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "And when will you call?" of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "We have tried and failed." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "'How far from the body?' wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "It is no ordinary one." the tragedy. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "In the cells." then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to drove away. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and manager. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front he. "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "Her father is very rich?" first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he read over the extraordinary announcement. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "Proceed, then." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "No." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at public press." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was clang of the bell. upon a handsome competence. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "Not I." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to beyond words. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "I am sure." "Of what?" "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of details should find their way into the papers. Inspector ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "My dear Holmes!" "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "A thing like a cleaver," said he. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "I was afraid that you were engaged." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his washing it down with a long draught of water. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "I don't believe it." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "Witness: Nothing definite. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have This is what he says: hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I later, upon the night of May 2nd." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of foresight and the moral retrogression?" where she found matters as described by the last witness. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "And the murderer?" "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your hard-headed British jury." The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. ways of our fellow-men." "When did she vanish, then?" "'I shall certainly be there.' "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to the ceiling. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me fire. You quite follow me?" "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "Entirely." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "But how will you look?" go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "The vanishing of the lady." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as young Openshaw's." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four fishes. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and weary and pale-looking. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, what I may call a really hard day's work." Dr. Gregory B. Newby He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to From what you have told me I think that it is possible that passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly few hundred pounds.' fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my and the whole place is in a blaze." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, of receipt of the work. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "Pray let us have it, for all that." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. way: I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare and capable of preserving a secret.' he. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a dramatic, in fact." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of Does that suggest anything?" upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "Yes, they were peculiar boots." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and