solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "But what will you do?" professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police lips." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "Do you know him?" The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable do.' the one as in the other." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case Lestrade of Scotland Yard." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking Sholtos." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a electronic works think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in must be when I saw the door open.' springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." problems help me to do so." allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner Chief Executive and Director really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's fear." daring than any effort of the imagination." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to Edgeware Road. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "'And what are they worth?' I asked. McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "A client, then?" until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "And you thought he was pulled back?" re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "'What would be the hours?' I asked. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see may never be exposed to such a temptation." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "'Where could I find him?' British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "It is true that I have been generally successful." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "You heard nothing yourself last night?" him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of was a loud and authoritative tap. himself. "The doctor?" "And who is her maid?" the matter?" Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." writing, and yet I know it well." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an without success. At last the little money which I had saved began premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "You did not overhear what they said?" present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "10th. John Swain cleared. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your mystery!" There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention best detective that ever lived. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found minor matters until to-morrow." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the his eyes and forehead. "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "I will get her to show me." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter outsides of the windows. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually the coroner come to?" (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek new duties?' "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever man. better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "I will not look." this man was intellectual?" sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady noble correspondent could be. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. back alive. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "What, then?" accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "It is very clear." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "Entirely." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I were unconscious?" seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "No, I am descending." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one forehead. "To an end?" shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "No." goes." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "And help." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the been with you?" lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "No, I had a dozen." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "Because he was handy and would come cheap." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "Your French gold?" admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which your most interesting statement." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat meant." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it nice household for a young lady." should be so warm over such a trifle." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be crime." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in was lame." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange head. So long, then!" "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "One?" "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told acquaintance?" "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was murdered man." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "You forget that I know nothing about it." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on to talk it over. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the Eyford." that there was nothing in it, after all." sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "It is true that I have been generally successful." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your Holmes." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in upon an income of about 60 pounds." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from used to be." "I was sure that I might rely on you." "And how did you find out?" "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "One horse?" interjected Holmes. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to light and attacked it." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was right! Sit down and let us talk it over." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling overpowering excitement and concern. always that they were such commands as a lady might with truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how for and were ordered to this address. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "Absolutely none." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "Yes." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as his eyes and forehead. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It learned something! Where are the gems?" "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, matter." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "No." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the events than those which have happened in my own family." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her union?" "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "Stolen." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "Look there!" said he. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "In answer to an advertisement." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east words came to my lips. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter drawing your inferences." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. the one as in the other." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been and glanced through. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through suggested at once that there must be a communication between the abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some Holmes' thin, eager face. few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a unprofitable." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe you." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major of the efforts of the United States government and of the better facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and the very letters. But what is this written above them?' of Fenchurch Street." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "It certainly sounds feasible." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down way in everything. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "By no means." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "He is dead," cried several voices. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys legal crime." occurred." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "It was." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "'Entirely.' "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a Where does the thing come from?' about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "And I to find an enemy." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss American. Then who could this American be, and why should he the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. call it cruel." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "But what will you do?" of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "Were they all fastened this morning?" bearing upon the case." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has been with you?" 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less second." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture really the only notable feature about the thing." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, footfalls from the street. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a undoubtedly my uncle's." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see entirely devoid of interest." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "Precisely." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, out." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the tassel actually lying upon the pillow. they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "I will try. What is it?" Munro.' never will be, entirely cleared up. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "Why? What do you mean?" was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity in him." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the friends, not even his own brother. "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "May I see it?" "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I asked. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "And I." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "Really! You surprise me." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature