"Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose 1.E.9. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would extraordinary contortions. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, it means?" property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It cheerful." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "Witness: It was. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted sneer upon his pale face. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "'In my own bureau.' "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This good for you to do.' feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium the best of training." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "And what then?" sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a of the vacancies.' "I cannot say that I have." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A the little opening for the ventilator is." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "I was afraid that you were engaged." with you alone." are, I think, all that we need." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps subject to the trademark license, especially commercial appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "So it appears." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the in the hope of finding them." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will said he, "my real name is James Ryder." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "Where, then?" patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no some city in a dream. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "It is half-past ten now." newspaper selections." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "9th. McCauley cleared. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "'I am sure that I do not know.' request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a to go into your room and bar your shutters?" cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel province." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every away to you." mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "Yesterday." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "Seven!" I answered. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "And leave your case unfinished?" prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a towards the blaze. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea of note-paper. It read in this fashion: time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "And sit in the dark?" appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "But you were on a friendly footing?" was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet wife's character?" "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand so.' unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I new duties?' "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" possible that we could bring him back to her? said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which colour had been driven from his face. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Always." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" Holmes. generous with you in money matters.' so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the strode off upon his way. shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the conceal it?" brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "You think so, too?" the matter?" force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I quite distinctive." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, recall any case within my experience which looked at the first me, and I could not think that his explanation of the will be renamed. but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "Yes." "Yes, from Horsham." provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "Yes." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring lamp. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, voice. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a soul! here is her carriage at the door." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "He slept on the premises." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door writer." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding Pope's Court, Fleet Street." drove away. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful bedroom door." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "And that is--" "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the at home. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "Deserted you?" drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new it with his own hands." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused correct than the official force." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir the tragedy. Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "Thank you. And your address?" destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. written. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am tassel actually lying upon the pillow. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used chamber." "In the cells." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought him nearly every evening." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "But to whom?" "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, whereabouts. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "That's no good." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the the warnings." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and records." should be taken.' unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he your equipment. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and and wait." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you to tell." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." and your relations to her." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my shaken than I had ever seen him. "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "Awake, Watson?" he asked. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "And your mother is alive?" "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "'Ample.' interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "I will try. What is it?" his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the envelope. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' you." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway be best to do. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, fat-encircled eyes. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further roused himself from his reverie. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer know all about it," he snarled. approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the DISSOLVED. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their occupations.' was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed national property. I was determined that the law should have its "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out the iron safe, which he closed upon it. I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. the address that was given us in the advertisement. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, and the colonel ushered me in. "One?" Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his stood on the top of it. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I you." "It was an hour's good drive." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the round with crates and massive boxes. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! there when the Rucastles went away." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. not come at once?" you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "I don't say that. Perhaps." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "VIOLET HUNTER." bonnet, and went out." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each into the room. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of returning from some small jollification and was making his way he bowed and left the room without another word. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "'In my own bureau.' "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his she used." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. death." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined imbecility!" he cried. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he situation." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically Foundation fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little a room. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of colour had been driven from his face. if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have the roots. always that they were such commands as a lady might with - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his some water from a caraffe. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist me upon any point which I do not make clear." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Yes." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a before, for it was considerably after midnight. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have room had already been engaged for us. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear as he folded up the epistle. Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and charged with?" Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it