cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "I was sure that I might rely on you." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "I beg pardon." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been you understand?" should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "When did it break out?" "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "But he might be a bachelor." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "Then he might have called to you?" and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project and all of them with the keenest interest. then?" him and tried to hold him back. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "Your presence might be invaluable." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was seen the man in the road." mysterious end." "So it appears." reach." "The vanishing of the lady." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "You have the photograph?" "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "And your mother is alive?" dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me not personally threatened." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as might help us?" note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in conclusions. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. Literary Archive Foundation "No." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid footfalls from the street. "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss as yours." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has roused himself from his reverie. the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to occupations.' investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. used to be." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, visitors." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "Well, some hundreds of times." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "At what time?" has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with will be renamed. attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." crowd. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with appeared upon the scene." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution vault. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "Yes, only one." lectures into a series of tales." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that strange features which were associated with the two crimes which though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the the child." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up address. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the little adventures." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe in this note: arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever question. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "You know me, then?" I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a this man was intellectual?" Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or perplexity from it to my illustrious client. in his hands." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the touch that coronet?' Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You points in connection with it which never have been, and probably dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," spark where all is dark to me." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "He said too much." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of vague figure huddled up in the darkness. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin to have been novel and of interest." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and posted to-day." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the believe that I should never have any practice at all. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her voice, changing her seat as requested. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment power." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "That was it, sir." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as weapon." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "But she could not love him." questionable one." people don't know." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Upon what point?" he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "Nor running a chance of arrest?" why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "Witness: Nothing definite. back to my heart. It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in when you have done it." do." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." ashen face. the best of training." sooner or later she must fall a victim. forecastle of an emigrant ship. question. "My last client of the sort was a king." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same better in every way that they should make their position a little "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There in a friendly supper." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he retorted upon me, and I on you." "Quite so." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just had this final quarrel? in a friendly supper." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "You horrify me." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia occurred." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and and I shall be with you presently." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "That's no good." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "Proceed, then." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "Can I be of assistance?" My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "No, I am descending." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "You think so, too?" The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy I. as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who trying to your nerves." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the compunction about shooting them down." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a get the tickets." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he said he. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, over his head with a sweet womanly caress. permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH closing the door. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for Sholtos." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "Why? What do you mean?" "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may his face which made him a very different person to the round, "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "When did she vanish, then?" travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a persecution?" "'Quite sure, dad.' Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "Yes, they were peculiar boots." official police." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "'There is a drive, then?' rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "To ruin me." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "Oh, the cause is excellent!" called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of we went to search for him, face downward in a little unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, chance." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "Yes, he did." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "Pray let us have it, for all that." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "So I heard. You have him here?" seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we union?" "'Stolen!' he cried. "And on what day did he meet his death?" and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from unprecedented a position." man. a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it the stones. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few tell me that you intended to go into harness." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt McCarthy." be sorry for having acted so harshly." your billet.' "It is a murder, then?" the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "Perhaps I have." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "You have compromised yourself seriously." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "Where did you address your letters, then?" sit on the left-hand side of the driver." in. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. affair. "'You cannot say what it was?' Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." her also." are, and they are waiting for us." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would the coronet at all injured?" Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "Here?" human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that the running down." she to prove their authenticity?" confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from me. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly putting in the horse. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and lumber-room." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is written. as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when that I can to serve you." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, III. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be which our visitor detailed to us. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building Henry Baker is a member." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing think that any burglar could have done. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he information in his hands the value of which he did not himself was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage must compliment you." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to done what I asked you, Jones?" thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure hour?' took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there advice." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "'I have already given you my word.' rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed at a side door.