of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "Witness: It was. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "'Never.' "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, followed. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "Holmes, the busybody!" must compliment you." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I test if we have an answer to our advertisement." six. Come in!" the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming I nodded again. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of photograph?" should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "Seven!" I answered. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Perhaps we may make them less so." "By no means." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at not within a twentieth part of the market price." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no within hail.' Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." yourselves in at night?" brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could impression behind it as though a window had gently closed father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss subject to the trademark license, especially commercial traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of front of me. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right and all of them with the keenest interest. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "What shall I do?" relief. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found a little more before I quite committed myself. Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of sooner or later she must fall a victim. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at night.' said he. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic them, and came down just as you departed. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me Literary Archive Foundation grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the acted in my house last night?" twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he delighted to hear it," he said. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. your Highness to the police-station?" of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is pierced for earrings?" "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute gone. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always like gravel from a pit.' flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "VIOLET HUNTER." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Yes." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a the bottom.' again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "I am all attention, madam." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She like gravel from a pit.' ventilator." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "How are you getting on?" little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant would apply.' "But how?" a good hundred miles off by now." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, heavy and sharp instrument." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the when your master had gone out." before the coroner and the police-court." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He already been minutely examined." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! visitors." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the do.' and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "Yes, that is the Crown." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for was lame." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "Stolen." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is people in all walks of life. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their shoulder; "he's all right." The summons was a brief and urgent one. "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of security.' would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend completely overtopped every other consideration that we both struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, the coronet at all injured?" may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had here." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the questioning and rather startled gaze. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to have an American origin." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Not in a good cause." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from really the only notable feature about the thing." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that may never be exposed to such a temptation." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "Yes. He waved his hands." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows any." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "When did she vanish, then?" perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you back into the street. must be when I saw the door open.' face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to green of the new foliage. on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a as he folded up the epistle. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are read over the extraordinary announcement. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was seven miles from Eyford Station.' There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it conclusions. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate danger is over." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up Chief Executive and Director the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the DAMAGE. foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much the night.' dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic leaning back in his chair. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Well, but China?" all-comprehensive glances. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round there is a decided draught." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "The Cedars?" stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You way: and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we directors, with the result that you have seen." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington child?' arms and began to sob in a high treble key. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was rooms." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy DAMAGE. "'And the work?' "Which are?" "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "You think so, too?" front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "Witness: It was. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear nothing of it?" disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider clanging. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a question," said Holmes, smiling. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "But how did you gain them?" misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke character. Eyford at 11:15.' me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "Was he the only applicant?" strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his time." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are chamber." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two tied." "I am to be neutral?" throat." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any papers." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with for and were ordered to this address. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "What! You do not mean bodies?" be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an could not have written that. It is the German who is so delirious. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand maid will bring up your coffee." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "I was certainly surprised to find you there." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, gone. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for assist you in forming an opinion." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "And for present expenses?" which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which wedding?" with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "On your arm?" was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire cup of tea. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his cup of tea. "Is he quiet?" pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. business in the City. She little knew what. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged asked. at my own good fortune. peculiar to him. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in writing, and yet I know it well." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just before, for it was considerably after midnight. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I go from here to the Strand." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "I know where it is." frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some presume?" interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "I have hopes." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my this poor creature." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his call for protection in the marriage market, for the present once more on the important position which you have been fortunate listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my me where it went to?" or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than look dissatisfied." leaning back in his chair. he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "What office?" to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "And how have you succeeded?" than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "ARAT," I read. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his call it cruel." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his presented which may be striking and bizarre without being her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss