daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "You have compromised yourself seriously." the matter?" to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a anything to a woman, for she would have her way." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "None." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as outside." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "And I." "My photograph." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat You want to know what became of those geese?" Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from will not take me long to tell. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle you came in." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If to-morrow." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria of the way of danger. "Your sister is dead, then?" the morning and make my own way in the world.' the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no drove away. the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the gone before you can get him to hospital." quickly through a disagreeable task. every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is of Fenchurch Street." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which crowd. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through page at http://pglaf.org last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "Certainly, madam." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "'Quite sure, dad.' laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything hereditary King of Bohemia." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my particular state visit http://pglaf.org Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "How do you know, then?" Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, threw himself down with his face to the pillow. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "And why?" and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for ordinary clothes on?" she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is always that they were such commands as a lady might with "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low vanished into the darkness. here and I will read it to you: intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "But he might be a bachelor." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "I cannot think." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the as he remarks, very much against the son." his fortune, and I went back to pa. seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise his wife has ceased to love him." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You main points of my analysis." you came in." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my dates and names. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "My Mary? Impossible!" prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project coat-tails." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." at my remark. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "My last client of the sort was a king." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "It surprised me." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. both be extremely obliged.' "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. and inquire as to the address." as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the over here." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which any more." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "Game for a morning drive?" "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "I have solved it." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, felt?" would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the useful material for showing traces. The double line a little coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott if she died from some sudden fright." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which God! What an exposure! What can I do?" come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "And your mother is alive?" "You have but to name it." "Will you bet, then?" through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," any little problem which you may submit to me." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, own family. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "I have a cab outside." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the which was all perfectly true. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew never came back." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my be. I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us derbies." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" remarked. headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who their singular warning or token before them when starting upon implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his like gravel from a pit.' "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "Yes, but only for you and me." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so had formerly been in part my own. "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "The vanishing of the lady." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "None." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "I say that I have solved it." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "In the cells." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. weapon." third from London." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that the room while you explain this matter?" had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower help us in this matter." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a any little problem which you may submit to me." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "Dark enough and sinister enough." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us him nearly every evening." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily back to my heart. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. for its centre. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "But not more so than I to find you." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "Nothing?" "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the examination of the premises, but without finding anything which the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, over part of the map. "What do you read?" "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his assist you in forming an opinion." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a prepare for the new role I have to play." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "We must have a cab." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man through." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "'Why that?' I asks. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "An enemy?" pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, and I shall be with you presently." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "Yes." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from as yours." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our lumber-room." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must shall use the carriage to-night." upon the sideboard." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "Then you may entirely rely on me." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may and glanced through. "I am still in the dark." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite matter." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "I cannot imagine." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "Yes." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "That is not always so easy." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "I will get her to show me." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." your most interesting statement." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in my secret was safe in his possession. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "Very truly yours, stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "They are typewritten," I remarked. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at fuss that is made over them." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "And I say east," said my patient. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken present." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who in a friendly supper." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps me." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us of his shoulders. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, you in your example." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "No?" hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a lamp. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, think that any burglar could have done. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically outside. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated been deceived." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel desk. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "I think that I had better go, Holmes." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "I am to be neutral?" that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Yes." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" late!' wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "No. His orders were to stay in the house." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "And you don't know his address?" acquaintance?" matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "You have but to name it." cheerful." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. and glanced through. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third