had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question next day. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "Then I shall certainly come." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "Why serious?" "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "How did he come?" "I should be immensely obliged to you." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon mystery!" conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "And how did you find out?" The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover the morning and make my own way in the world.' Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived said he. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its three of the beryls in it, was missing. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' during that time.' "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for IS so far?" "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens way in everything. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "No sign of it?" "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "I cannot tell." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is which are rolled in Rotterdam." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "The gentleman I describe." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I feature." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they will not take me long to tell. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of with the outside air!" while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "Stolen." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "I shall most certainly do so." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were prepare for the new role I have to play." "And how?" own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to see a sister of mine apply for." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "But not more so than I to find you." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite will take you up to see the machine.' Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is such attractions and accomplishments?' with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "And that is--" Literary Archive Foundation a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "Yes, they were peculiar boots." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, existence." International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "Pray let us have it, for all that." Holmes' room. three fields round his house, and there he would take his "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "So I heard. You have him here?" the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. constraint." France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! fasten all the windows?" "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he photograph?" "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, should be taken.' surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he hurried by. harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but in a friendly supper." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She official police." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "No, I am descending." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the your bag." every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to noble correspondent could be. spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just to miss it." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as one's self under obligations.' there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a a few minutes he said that it would be all right. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "That is also quite modern," said the lady. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's States. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to foot. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "That was it, sir." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "Well?" "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." details." "Perhaps I have." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found death." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "So I heard. You have him here?" I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "None. Neville wrote those words." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "I shall be delighted." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual figure." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your During two years I have had three consultations and one small "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I one else, I think." redistribution. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! trying to your nerves." in his hands." heavy and sharp instrument." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others companion quietly. some water from a caraffe. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. unprofitable." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, be best to do. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we strength in the others." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted companion imperturbably. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." to-night?" I asked. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am the coronet at all injured?" among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See threw himself down with his face to the pillow. garden below. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the business matters.' apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly are windows in it, of course?" graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for house for five minutes.' and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, something of him before." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "'A dozen yards or so.' scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the imbecility!" he cried. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the kind enough to tell me what I should do." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a unprofitable." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "Certainly." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? geese which you supplied to the Alpha." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the signal between you and your father? Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. of Fenchurch Street." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. careless servant girl?" slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "Perhaps we may make them less so." had a long day." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for for the market.' being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another But Holmes shook his head gravely. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her train from Paddington which would bring you there at about kindly on the shoulder. of them has the shutters up.' idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite hurried by. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been your equipment. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the night.' said he. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "You think that he is dead?" me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again disturbance in my wife." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you get the tickets." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless my secret was safe in his possession. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his me, and I could not think that his explanation of the Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez the dangers which encompass me." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon stalked out of the room. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "What, then, did Peterson do?" all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to fled together." "No, finished." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. the dangers which encompass me." "Have you her photograph?" How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its lost his Christmas dinner." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear there were so many in the whole country as were brought together of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but there is a decided draught." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper respectable self." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "The King of Scandinavia." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to beg that you will break it off." is worth.' "Awake, Watson?" he asked. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "None." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "You horrify me!" was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled important." "By train from Waterloo." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "Then I can wait in the next room." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name late." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with this unhappy family?" connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "About a month then." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being place of silver." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you ourselves in the office." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, has little to do with my story." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who you understand?" "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "It surprised me." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, long narrative. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "In what way?" asked Holmes. is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works reach." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would think you a quite exceptional woman." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "Where, then?" collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling.