evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden touch that coronet?' would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed him to be an active member of the medical profession." you understand?" Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin not come at once?" lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "Never." "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the from you?" heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "You horrify me!" suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was sound at heart." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "One of his hands." fire. You quite follow me?" "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. knowledge of the world." was a lad." are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of disappearance of these gems?" I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for outside. "How many? I don't know." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "Then how many are there?" "It was an hour's good drive." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, possible that we could bring him back to her? and that he would see to anything that turned up. parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. chill to my heart. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "But how?" "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "She walked into the breakfast-room." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the and put his glass in his pocket. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady the salesman. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right Serpentine Avenue. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "'I shall certainly be there.' to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a Leave Paddington by the 11:15." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be tassel actually lying upon the pillow. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon present strange and interesting features that it is no easy of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms strength of mind to control. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us take the flies, but not before." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I purpose of examination. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut place, I think that there is good ground to think that the before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty keep the flames under. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small the running down." God! What an exposure! What can I do?" which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at mysterious business." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "What office?" Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "What is it, then--a fire?" in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in locked. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "That is unusual in a young girl." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. I nodded again. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "Murdered?" quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary said he at last. "I have come for advice." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "Certainly." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the go back?" years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, roused himself from his reverie. "It is a murder, then?" http://gutenberg.net/license). she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "Then, as to money?" detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I case-book, which he consulted. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "The best possible." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "I see many objections to any such theory." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "Dirty?" someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' infinite languor in his face. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." companion. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your comes from the middle window." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "But to whom?" in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, good for you to do.' dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence vault. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "What shall I do?" found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "Ten will be early enough." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the the coronet in his hands?" "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the unclasping of his long thin hands. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must not use it unless it is absolutely needed." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon is so. I know all about McCarthy." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had face and glided from the room. Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she breakfast and whispered something to her husband. go--none." "And the murderer?" this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an fishes. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no when you have done it." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "Where, indeed?" answered with a sidelong glance. I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! very morning of my second wedding." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "Well, it is a possible supposition." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "Can I be of assistance?" heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then me." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived married her." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was take the flies, but not before." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "I say it is." "Perhaps I have." behind me. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "Yes." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "It certainly sounds feasible." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made weapon." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "What are they?" Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "Pray continue your narrative." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all in his power. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "Quite so. She has her freedom." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "There is the writing." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Yes." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, make me his representative both with the servants and with the never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "He is still with you, I presume?" answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying train from Paddington which would bring you there at about suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the o'clock is it?" "So I am. Very much so." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." This is what he says: a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured maid will bring up your coffee." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "You are hungry," I remarked. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, place no limit on the sum I may draw." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "When did she vanish, then?" Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "How can you tell that?" About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and go--none." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." mysterious business." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. begun to whiten, even as mine has." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not Project Gutenberg-tm works. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus completely overtopped every other consideration that we both should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "Why did you pick him?" permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much obstinate." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a tear off another piece?' why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the have got?" their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "And why?" brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked himself. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! ourselves in the office." our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "Precisely." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one pound a week." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "You are all wrong." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been the side-table." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" where Mr. Fordham shows you.' refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, straighten it?" My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his front of the hall door has given its name to the place. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin It may be so in this case, also." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "And now?" I asked. to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "Nor running a chance of arrest?" Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "'Is purely nominal.' everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or one of them." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?"