vault. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would girl said." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you is now desirous of getting those letters back." when your master had gone out." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my noise which awoke you from your sleep?" has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the the house with me." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black Surrey." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her outbreak?" "'A dozen yards or so.' your own bird, so if you wish--" because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "Then I am your man." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "I have seen the police." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "Stoke Moran?" said he. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An which was all perfectly true. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "And is that all?" helping a boy to put up the shutters. it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "Can I be of assistance?" Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "And why in hopes?" say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "I was mad--insane." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. the bottom.' may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was here and I will read it to you: "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "No, distinctly professional." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to Dr. Gregory B. Newby Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to have been better. It is all right." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "You have the photograph?" Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a your sleep?' up this clue while it is still hot." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the followed. dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had all-comprehensive glances. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found province." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "'Ten to two.' It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I used to be." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "None." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical together. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "Well, but China?" "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when the station." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "What will you do, then?" corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "What then?" "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "'Yes.' shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate in a friendly supper." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "Nothing." "And from a noble client?" his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "Nothing?" with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have But Holmes shook his head gravely. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened next day. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a be.' empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without some terrible trap for her." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. and laid it on the table. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to that I can to serve you." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" his grey eyes. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Then you may entirely rely on me." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his before, for it was considerably after midnight. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his is entirely a question of barometric pressure." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the wedding?" "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "Very truly yours, exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the said I. green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself The telegram which we eventually received came late one night comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that respectable self." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen these bleak autumnal evenings." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his business came to an end." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "Yes." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "This concluded the examination of the witness." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he appeared upon the scene." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "There are none." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "Yes." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. the address that was given us in the advertisement. of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of come either from the window or the door. My attention was reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face James Windibank. Voilà tout!" made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers ceremony." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and Pope's Court, Fleet Street." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' into her hand at the door and which lured her within their upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies sound at heart." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in new duties?' glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' lamp. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has Doctor, of the paper and the date." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I he. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination be sorry for having acted so harshly." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "Dr. Becher's." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic a few minutes he said that it would be all right. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he I held the little printed slip to the light. yet." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had an introduction to him?" time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be and inquire as to the address." in his power. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" to you." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "I never have." putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "It missed him, then?" "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "Proceed, then." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four you in yours." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "'A dozen yards or so.' "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. acquaintance?" "She will not sell." status with the IRS. they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was noting anything else of interest. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. me. "I will, Miss Turner." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "Get out!" said he. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "And what did you learn from him?" really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "A confidential servant?" "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking his face. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, had no one to advise her at such a crisis." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears down. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my appointment with me for six o'clock?" One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to foresight and the moral retrogression?" "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch families. Now for the facts. Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "But what will you do?" have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. views." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just must be when I saw the door open.' death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. his fortune, and I went back to pa. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and the very morning of the wedding." "'In my own bureau.' Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "How can you tell that?" few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "Yes, at the mines." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones of them has the shutters up.' has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and you for a few hours?" felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set maiden herself was most instructive." later, upon the night of May 2nd." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "And now?" I asked. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "Not in a good cause." "Never to return." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the forbidden door. knowledge of the world." looking up at the numbers of the houses." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still depend upon my doing so.' Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side presented more singular features than that which was associated Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "Whose house is it?" posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "Yes." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as note?" "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "I assure you that I am in your hands." "Well." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in peculiar to him. "I do." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, Street. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "So I have heard." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "'Certainly not.' however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "It is his hat." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "Can I be of assistance?" the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing question. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these