even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who that threaten you." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these such person." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged bore every mark of being an average commonplace British creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest one or two very singular points about this room. For example, in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "Did you become engaged then?" effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "Yes, but only for you and me." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was furiously. sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already breakfast?" to that open window." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "A call for help, you thought?" "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything other means.' "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, putting in the horse. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen bill, which interests me deeply." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life chambers. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making shall use the carriage to-night." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far have established a very serious case against the son of the important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. is so. I know all about McCarthy." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper himself. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a the coroner come to?" think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook drove away. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "And is that all?" "'Where could I find him?' have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Come in!" said Holmes. yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your have accepted such a situation. the tragedy. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by stepfather?" newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous must be when I saw the door open.' absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the introspective fashion. woman." money should be paid at once.' stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "That you are never beaten." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced father's young wife. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the derbies." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "'Quite sure, dad.' it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under have accepted such a situation. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the must compliment you." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "My dear Holmes!" which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was carriage. It was a chestnut." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the that you can jump it.' this unhappy family?" "In heaven's name, what for?" chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly followed. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as amused." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, floor. step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given conceal it?" Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the Surrey." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "It is solved." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "I am still in the dark." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "It's nothing of the kind." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, without success. At last the little money which I had saved began the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their highroad, where all traces were lost. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "I see no marks." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the American. Then who could this American be, and why should he tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you prison!" I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread me. You must get home instantly and act." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate as he remarks, very much against the son." call the police, let the police find what they can.' a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled Sholtos." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless emerged. floor. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "One of the highest in England." was not a bird to be seen there. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "You forget that I know nothing about it." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not possible that we could bring him back to her? The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in the morning and make my own way in the world.' man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him distance from the station, and there we found the young lady particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what and capable of preserving a secret.' the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope before, for it was considerably after midnight. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "Not yet." delirious. advice." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." himself to hunt down. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "And how did you find out?" It may be so in this case, also." the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous fire. You quite follow me?" "Yes." this man was intellectual?" to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged interest. They are important, you understand, without being "It was a confession," I ejaculated. o'clock is it?" they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the bled considerably." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who fluttered off among the others. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing when your master had gone out." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have tail." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came that the gas is not laid on in his house?" come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my invisible to me," I remarked. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, following enigmatical notices: computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed eavesdroppers?' "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at meant." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love just ask you whether you had heard it.' certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite that threaten you." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so touch that coronet?' wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "I cannot think." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, breakfast." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we and the colonel ushered me in. the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have third from London." of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "By no means." "What, then?" Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change other, as fresh and trim as possible. to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "'A dozen yards or so.' having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "Your sister is dead, then?" "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "How did that help you?" shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would III. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year with her." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I get the tickets." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "Your presence might be invaluable." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and reach." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery who was a member of your goose club." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, fluttered off among the others. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. people in all walks of life. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "From his hat?" suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a been." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been later, upon the night of May 2nd." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large the house with me." "Can I be of assistance?" returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it minor matters until to-morrow." "Where did he live, then?" "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "It is solved." directly by questioning you." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow License. You must require such a user to return or your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and these bleak autumnal evenings." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the that you wished to speak to me?' train.' dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "'Ample.' observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into of the way of danger. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a there were one or two details which were new to me. But the out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by she has been waylaid. There has been no result." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of even so self-evident a thing as that." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is tied." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "Could he throw no light?" "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. written. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people entirely devoid of interest." she might be summoned. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we went to the Alpha were town bred." is a common subject for conversation. "But you can know nothing of this?" Pool. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will the night.' me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a not interfere, come what may. You understand?" foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers union?" he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "Witness: Nothing definite. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof business came to an end." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these