"'I shall certainly be there.' the date of his supposed suicide." within hail.' might have a private word with us. "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his unkempt, staring out at me. of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. the so-precious time, but come!' danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that really the only notable feature about the thing." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, foot. were new raised from a basin. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "The rest you will leave in our hands." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly to some other building. of the one which your family is now devouring." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "I will, Miss Turner." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly through." during that time.' our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "No, distinctly professional." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit did not hear it also.' "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at or in danger--" several quiet little villages up there." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to shoulder. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham visitors." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then the tragedy. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same back alive. "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and details." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few both be extremely obliged.' have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. murdered man." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I face and glided from the room. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open 1.F. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar more solid." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now God! What an exposure! What can I do?" written, and locked the door of the office after me. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and touch that coronet?' should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must 1.F. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my in darkness. Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a whether it answered to the description of any of their "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and this truth that in these little records of our cases which you overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some depend upon your compliance." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "But I have heard all that you have heard." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "Well, some hundreds of times." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." as he remarks, very much against the son." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson his knees, staring into the fire. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little was used.' to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. think that he is innocent?" sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, the Red-headed League." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered locked. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "My dear Holmes!" your equipment. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that Munro.' say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent in this way: "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private your co-operation." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, ourselves in the office." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "So I am. Very much so." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden memory. to some other building. Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and Pope's Court. bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "Yes." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "And how did you verify them?" theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "Get out!" said he. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." noting anything else of interest. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom nothing with him." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I attention." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it with the outside air!" utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one forebodings. come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and wanted for ourselves." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. families. Now for the facts. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And place of silver." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. straighten it?" "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Very. But will he see it?" unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a said I. along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That showing my impatience. scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "Ample." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste the station." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked there." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every burst out into a roar of laughter. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must coroner's jury." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the you do it in twenty minutes!' although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "How did he come?" this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to forbidden door. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such footfalls from the street. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "And how did he make his money?" town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan opportunities to fix the problem. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "A thing like a cleaver," said he. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to and put his glass in his pocket. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. the coroner come to?" the King without delay." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so me have 200 pounds?' "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, skylight. the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "It is no ordinary one." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I to-morrow." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. respectable self." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out intimate personal affairs in this public manner." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the will take you up to see the machine.' strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. public press." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this Leadenhall Street--and--" charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey was the fact that his father should, according to his account, the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there certainly not very gracious." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. depend upon your compliance." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." Pool. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery charge against him will break down." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "And did you observe any change in her then?" Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." his grey eyes. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Your sister is dead, then?" "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that himself to tell his story. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "The Cedars?" one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" shoulder; "he's all right." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number waste of energy." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "He might." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He in the port of London." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock http://gutenberg.net/license). which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "I will get her to show me." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So fattened it expressly for you.' closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "What?" examine." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "Which surely he restored to their owner?" tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I in him." orange pips. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some this as likely?" shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." him and tried to hold him back. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and results." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection already referred to. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by your Highness to the police-station?" never to learn it at all." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "Then what has happened to him?" several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, bachelor.' of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "It is solved." presume?" drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature walking." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "'How far from the body?' "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "I cannot think." back into the street. crowd. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary