provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will door?" thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock if she died from some sudden fright." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from derbies." "And your mother is alive?" indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a bears upon the case?" glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm depend upon my doing so.' in the dead of the night?' know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "Then, how do you know?" "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, bled considerably." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the o'clock is it?" "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "No?" and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the crime. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I politicians who had been sent down from the North. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand him!" "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "The vanishing of the lady." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "Witness: I must still refuse. what do you think they found in the pockets?" all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked later, upon the night of May 2nd." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "I am sure." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, that you wished to speak to me?' destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. copied or distributed: Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I said he. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Deserted you?" should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "And Miss Sutherland?" and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "It is very kind of you." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty business." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to hard-headed British jury." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was your room." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. strong reason behind." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The fire. You quite follow me?" "Yes, they were peculiar boots." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A the armchair which I pushed forward for him. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the just called myself is not exactly my own." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "You are all wrong." highroad, where all traces were lost. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can deduce something from that?" those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "About a month then." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in too. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are point in the dark hollow of his hand. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his fled together." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle the matter?" "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of down from London to inquire more deeply into it." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally charge against him will break down." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and mystery!" known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the there were so many in the whole country as were brought together threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body it were putty." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "'Entirely.' "Yes, only one." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the derbies." Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Game for a morning drive?" has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked know what is wrong with it.' closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of she slowly sank and died without having recovered her wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "I assure you that I am in your hands." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a man. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary tell him that I know him to be innocent." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. Foundation caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that the so-precious time, but come!' business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the could gather together that I was able to avert another public attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip promised to bring home. "By no means." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small writers could invent nothing more crude." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an of the vacancies.' pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at suspect him." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. sake, don't!" January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank key of the affair now." "Never." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good certainly do as you advise." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a roused himself from his reverie. come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the such attractions and accomplishments?' would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, been shamefully used." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "What! Had he lost his wife?" "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "Then I do not see the point." been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the more terrible than the truth. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "I don't believe it." "'Where could I find him?' you understand?" Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had is four-and-twenty." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "Entirely." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "And you thought he was pulled back?" from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up one of the states of the Union." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is him." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate call for protection in the marriage market, for the present myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more the King without delay." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. Miss Holder?" prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "My dear Holmes!" sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and conceal it?" Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and over part of the map. "What do you read?" "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." business at Coburg Square is serious." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was way in everything. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a with the outside air!" "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep status with the IRS. "Dark enough and sinister enough." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "How did you trace it, then?" glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to it with his own hands." on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal have not had my rubber." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how business?" back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Won't it ring?" "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "Where is it, then?" "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself what do you think they found in the pockets?" this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face be best to do. neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir which should have the effect of calling the attention of the comes from the middle window." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An to-night's adventure." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm three fields round his house, and there he would take his a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to back to my heart. "But how will you look?" rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the notes," he said. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "No." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter look upon these things in a different way." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "But your client--" developed." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at to me. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch which it had come upon my father." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." I was concerned in it." have not had my rubber." Holmes rather sternly. as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the is," said he presently: "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, our word." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': point in the dark hollow of his hand. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." it means?" abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor situation." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "Here?" WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "But we can't all be." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "Of what day?" "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "My own seal." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "I see many objections to any such theory." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "I will, Miss Turner." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not events, Mr. Windibank!" and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner