Heh?' studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the words came to my lips. "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "I shall most certainly do so." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich washing it down with a long draught of water. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was Countess of Morcar's?" through." "It certainly sounds feasible." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be wanted for ourselves." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when opened the door, and slipped through. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest forehead. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "My dear Holmes!" purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and strong and stiff." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A annoyance, but no jest. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "We were both in the photograph." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," my secret was safe in his possession. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "But how?" "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes his grey eyes. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go the date of his supposed suicide." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "So I heard. You have him here?" would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "Ten will be early enough." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, heavily into it. "I fear not." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of awkward doing business with an alias." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the hour." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about respectable self." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "No legal papers or certificates?" "Of Friday, June 19th." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon fled together." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed together. Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "I will try. What is it?" "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I which our visitor detailed to us. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "I was certainly surprised to find you there." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her followed. corner of the building. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "'No, I know no one in these parts.' and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and and files of the old papers, following the future career of every fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has You want to know what became of those geese?" tension within him. appointment with me for six o'clock?" prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "Do you receive much company?" he asked. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself emerged. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been infinite languor in his face. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "What is it?" served to weaken the effect. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's vanished into the darkness. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "Now, then, what's the last entry?" me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "But it has twice been burgled." with some details as to your case." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear information in his hands the value of which he did not himself stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "He said too much." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "How are you getting on?" that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the I held the little printed slip to the light. have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, asked with his eyes open. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "Have you it here?" that he has suffered." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter key of the affair now." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on garden below. as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, the loss of it. partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, o'clock is it?" the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "But what will you do?" "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty were wasted." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' pierced for earrings?" the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an good for you to do.' "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on forbidden door. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call train.' the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "No." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in it. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our to his chemical studies. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you back alive. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the a few minutes he said that it would be all right. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the of campaign. crowd. galvanised. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. man. "Then, how do you know?" surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She chill to my heart. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding think, you have already met." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "Nearly eleven." "What! a murderous attack?" "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "It is solved." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it the bed, and you in that chair." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "Yes." have accepted such a situation. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "You think that he is dead?" "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom to you." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom the best of training." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own DAMAGE. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his disturbance in my wife." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it tear off another piece?' thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "Awake, Watson?" he asked. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the was keenly on my guard against him. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "What of the rat, then?" my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "But your client--" "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "You horrify me!" brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "'You cannot say what it was?' drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the man. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "Ample." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "What is it, then--a fire?" carriage. It was a chestnut." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not stepfather?" "He disappeared so suddenly." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of have been better. It is all right." "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the interests were the same as his." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. thought that she would have been so carried away." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre are, and they are waiting for us." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good went to the Alpha were town bred." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "And you thought he was pulled back?" The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a some mystery and the punishment of some crime." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "Your French gold?" "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and within hail.' Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached all?" wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If read it out to me." disturbance in my wife." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" you." and the whole place is in a blaze." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to is entirely a question of barometric pressure." to change my dress. "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the arrested. You then--" "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "Whose house is it?" suspect him." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, was lame." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John the child." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's and all of them with the keenest interest. go back?" as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical populous neighbourhood." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to