the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed crowd. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. voice. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his look upon these things in a different way." weapon." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon few hundred pounds.' that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke voice. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "I am armed." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a later, upon the night of May 2nd." seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has lips." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall flock.' low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all o'clock is it?" two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or you for a few hours?" "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "But what is it you wish?" zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "ARAT," I read. "Frequently." "You did not overhear what they said?" like that before?" hour?' strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce rose-bushes. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you salesman. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand about. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which fishes. "In heaven's name, what for?" "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "What will you say?" It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his presented more singular features than that which was associated "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came confronted him. http://www.gutenberg.net He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "It's nothing of the kind." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his to a more successful conclusion." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "No." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside Miss Holder?" "I cannot think." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "Stolen, then." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "What then?" Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "No, thank goodness, she did not." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the 1.F. the loss of it. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been to affect your life." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar coroner's jury." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an as the one I chose?' I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through here." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My indeed which he could not unravel. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I writers could invent nothing more crude." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she peculiar to him. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "Upon what point?" again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke McCarthy's innocence. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its tassel actually lying upon the pillow. but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "What have you done?" asked Holmes. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon than was visible to me." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "I think that I had better go, Holmes." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" which was all perfectly true. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we chair. which are rolled in Rotterdam." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, open." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, do you make of it all?" "Here?" should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson I nodded to show that I had heard. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "And when will you call?" succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. strength of mind to control. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich might help us?" of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague This is what he says: stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too think that any burglar could have done. and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur gigantic client. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest you in your example." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, of the one which your family is now devouring." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my together. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting and all of them with the keenest interest. pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure tapping his fingers upon the table. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying might help us?" Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "But to whom?" man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "Then I am your man." annoyance, but no jest. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "Never to return." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "Perhaps I have." enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the you want, then?' "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands is," said he presently: of fine shops and stately business premises that they really corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his little adventures." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "But the mystery?" an introduction to him?" there is a decided draught." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in this truth that in these little records of our cases which you three of the beryls in it, was missing. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in keep the flames under. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He the warnings." soul! here is her carriage at the door." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney served to weaken the effect. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "Never to return." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the depend upon your compliance." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to said I. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed bearing upon the case." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little Sutherland. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "None." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "And sit in the dark?" the coroner come to?" upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "Stolen." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. showing my impatience. Pool. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for absolutely follow my advice in every respect." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big forehead. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the such attractions and accomplishments?' distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" directors have had misgivings upon the subject." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else everything which you would wish to know." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." derbies." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on page at http://pglaf.org "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "I am following you closely," I answered. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed I shall continue with my miserable story. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "Never." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that at once, for I have only half an hour." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "She showed me, as I told you she would." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." the matter." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This the station." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "None." towards the blaze. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal on in his house." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I himself in a perplexing position. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is stalked out of the room. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting ran thus: that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess purpose equally well?" arrested. You then--" "'In my own bureau.' could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "Pray do so." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found tassel actually lying upon the pillow. to-night?" I asked. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel strode off upon his way. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "Precisely." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a with some details as to your case." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he tied." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on and looked back. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "A client, then?" red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." giving me time to thank him. turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about papers on the sundial.'" call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man pound a week." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "Yes." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" Holmes' face clouded over. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and that, and I came down." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "Yes, the wine-cellar." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful back to my heart. fled together." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. gentleman's clothes. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a over with notes and figures. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two upon the white wrist. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house,