furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I guilty parties." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is weary and pale-looking. of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was danger is over." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that outside." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His that you can jump it.' It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales purpose equally well?" "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." as noiselessly as she had come. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I roused himself from his reverie. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "Yes, the wine-cellar." "Did he not advertise?" office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of charge against him will break down." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery the iron safe, which he closed upon it. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but kind enough to tell me what I should do." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the gigantic client. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, my secret was safe in his possession. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "It is very clear." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, Dr. Gregory B. Newby possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of that you wished to speak to me?' "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in in a very precise fashion." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "I will do it." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been only touch the interest." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled voice. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you man. I know him from the photograph." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of four million human beings all jostling each other within the springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "Come in!" said he. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Your sister is dead, then?" "You were travelling in the States?" eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." the tragedy. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "Pray tell us what has happened to you." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. shoulder. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a in a friendly supper." been deceived." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached whatever might befall. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "About a month then." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" everything which you would wish to know." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "That also I could fathom." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more was a loud and authoritative tap. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "What is it, then--a fire?" naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the that I may have something better before very many minutes are "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that it? Did I buy the geese off you?" my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, clanging. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" to have that photograph." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "Ah!" whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came voice. "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "'Which dealer's?' corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. gigantic client. Surrey." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "ARAT," I read. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Did you become engaged then?" having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked if only as a check to my own memory." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "You heard nothing yourself last night?" was a perfect sample of the class. I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the business." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "I promise," said Holmes. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out unkempt, staring out at me. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was very morning of my second wedding." tell him that I know him to be innocent." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door locked." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin in the port of London." glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a you do it in twenty minutes!' You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. I nodded again. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" himself. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes the nursery. "What have you to say now?" provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "And now?" I asked. "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "On the contrary, this is the right side." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "Not in a good cause." was shining brightly. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "Yes." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly threw himself down with his face to the pillow. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of the side-table." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "Has he come with you to-night?" which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "It is possible." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been was not a bird to be seen there. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "How about poison?" envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, developed." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "On your arm?" opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before said I. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "You have it, sir, just as it happened." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that to-night's adventure." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some was feeling which was the fattest.' him!" "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you companion imperturbably. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the at my own good fortune. "Perfectly so." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter of a light. Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "Dr. Becher's." interest. They are important, you understand, without being promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are do.' of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was were unconscious?" Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove particular state visit http://pglaf.org "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the a very grave face. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. good-night and bustled off upon her way. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You you for a few hours?" "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "Witness: Nothing definite. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "Certainly." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from carried out of court." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "I am to be neutral?" from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to other means.' a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the which our visitor detailed to us. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I papers diligently of late, have you not?" "'What would be the hours?' I asked. your only hope of safety." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was humiliation." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices III. "Not in a good cause." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now Have you good authority for what you say?" "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From written. separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "I am to be neutral?" Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about lectures into a series of tales." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My characteristics, but those are the more obvious." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found confronted him. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous like that before?" "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in the salesman. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I already been minutely examined." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Very truly yours, terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of it." "But you were on a friendly footing?" previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men whether it answered to the description of any of their my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "You forget that I know nothing about it." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily some place of shelter and let the county police know what has girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "What will you say?" little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, had picked up in the wood. II. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little the window, rose as we entered. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "Ah!" Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "I am in hopes that she does." "Then you may be so with me." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it imbecility!" he cried. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "From his hat?" precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "'Which dealer's?' mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I use an arc-and-compass breastpin." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the touch that coronet?' public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "We must sit without light. He would see it through the silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the brain must have something in it." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive Young McCarthy must be got off, however." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab the matter." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your this as likely?" part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind name is different." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom have had none more fantastic than this." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the point in the dark hollow of his hand. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend never came back." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold address. of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, what do you think they found in the pockets?" his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from forehead. the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit danger is over." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past