"'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly placed his cuttings. near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was garden below. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very standing smiling on the door-step. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "Where did he live, then?" its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "What then?" The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "Come in!" said he. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search had formerly been in part my own. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question of campaign. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what as yours." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in bonnet, and went out." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took always that they were such commands as a lady might with "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid discontent upon his features. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "'I am sure that I do not know.' postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day formed some opinion?" a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "Pray continue your narrative." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." you understand?" description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the telegram would bring me down to your help." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Witness: Nothing definite. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. directly by questioning you." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and man. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a bill, which interests me deeply." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which green of the new foliage. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "Yes, it was twisted." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, enter into my head. events, Mr. Windibank!" perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "What, then?" "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two before, for it was considerably after midnight. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a there!' "'Most admirably.' quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, chill to my heart. and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, without success. At last the little money which I had saved began panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." him!" "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "'Oh, no.' "What, then, did Peterson do?" the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." outbreak?" too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "Oh, fresh and glossy." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through John Swain, of St. Augustine. wanted for ourselves." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock digesting their breakfasts at home." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "No." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "Awake, Watson?" he asked. whatever might befall. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "Yes." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the promised to bring home. small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end enter into my head. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is than to us. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I money should be paid at once.' questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs and it need not interfere very much with one's other the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. observed. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "He said that you could solve anything." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts one else, I think." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "He is still with you, I presume?" though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to photograph a cabinet?" and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "From his hat?" called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "Where, indeed?" you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when remarked. have not had my rubber." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "Quite so." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. here." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a more solid." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the McCarthy." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no business at Coburg Square is serious." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You a monotonous occupation." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm it with his own hands." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is http://www.gutenberg.net "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens it. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, of receipt of the work. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." then?" 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." crackling voice. anything to do with the matter?" weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "And I." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some wanted for ourselves." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so forbidden door. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not character. breakfast?" III. thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "I have seen the police." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." question. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "It is half-past ten now." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with me. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "Absolutely?" Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange and have this put in the evening papers." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. meant it for the best. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "'Yes, I promise.' "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here business." four million human beings all jostling each other within the Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "I was afraid that you were engaged." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my the very morning of the wedding." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's and a shock of very red hair. your own bird, so if you wish--" disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business shoulder. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire that threaten you." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which geese which you supplied to the Alpha." the inner apartment." leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "What do you mean?" out of this horrible affair." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "No. What a strange idea!" seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in chill to my heart. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and you for a few hours?" think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "About a month then." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "Then you may be so with me." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "Precisely." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to ventilator." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which green of the new foliage. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, one's self under obligations.' "9th. McCauley cleared. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "None. Neville wrote those words." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "And what did you see?" Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "It is half-past ten now." secret." "'Certainly,' I answered. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "You were travelling in the States?" seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "What do you mean?" sentimental considerations in the background which would induce knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "Eh? What was that?" very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Never." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "What are they?" round and wave him away like that.' it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out any." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, said I. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made tied." "What is it?" A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "Yes." fat-encircled eyes. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must young Openshaw's." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or amused." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility Lee, in the county of Kent." "So I have heard." are, I think, all that we need." questionable one." have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "Your French gold?" fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, opened a pocket-book and took out a note. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "Won't it ring?" we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "I came to find a friend." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies begin with, and I had not got mine yet." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and without a word or a look. to a light-house. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful quick march!" skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, Surrey." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that felt?" reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "It is possible." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "Oh, the cause is excellent!" filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "Her father is very rich?" closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his not come at once?" "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent.