gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "If so, much may have happened between." "Very. But will he see it?" an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You ran thus: rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "Yes, from Horsham." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "Deserted you?" nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you front of me. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted business." could not have written that. It is the German who is so "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "But I am all in the dark." you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation front of me. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a think, you have already met." was a loud and authoritative tap. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on This is what he says: of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself interests were the same as his." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "Then he might have called to you?" and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover disappearance of these gems?" labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "Ah!" was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give and no precautions can guard against." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "A confidential servant?" of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at quick march!" Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "Murdered?" "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a him to be an active member of the medical profession." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a friends, not even his own brother. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of Countess of Morcar's?" meanly of me." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "On the contrary, this is the right side." but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in will be renamed. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." morning." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the trifles." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, ready to-morrow?' late!' something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "Then I can wait in the next room." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. a room. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "You have carte blanche." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a in darkness. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the It may be so in this case, also." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last criminal. We have already had experience of such." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, gentleman's clothes. "You have carte blanche." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when long narrative. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Did he not advertise?" were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "His face fell immediately. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position points to suicide?" "Not him." there in twenty minutes." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an congenial hunt. "It surprised me." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "But your client--" could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence lost nothing by them." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. nothing of it?" now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had The telegram which we eventually received came late one night only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend floor. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my third from London." that you can jump it.' expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit there were one or two details which were new to me. But the shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and III. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the that you saw all that I did." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no during which he might have communicated with his friend the I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "The doctor?" 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "It is a murder, then?" "But how did you gain them?" without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is forbidden door. opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "Never to return." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "It is possible." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily The police have openly confessed that they can at present make He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Upon what point?" the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "But the mystery?" "The murder was done with it." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." as he folded up the epistle. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "At what time?" fish-monger and a tide-waiter." locked." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to breakfast." the Assizes." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I the iron safe, which he closed upon it. that you can jump it.' be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "And the cigar-holder?" submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. appeared upon the scene." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "But his lameness?" down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head hour." writer." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. cup of tea. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of use an arc-and-compass breastpin." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge intimate personal affairs in this public manner." he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "'And the work?' "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I letters?" grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done dear old homesteads?" "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "It's nothing of the kind." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "By no means." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. During two years I have had three consultations and one small me. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good is a common subject for conversation. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, weigh very heavily upon my conscience." legal crime." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an key turn in the lock." "None." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of eat it." test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six had a long day." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the which our visitor detailed to us. should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." awaited us upon the table. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "And you don't know his address?" "Yes." "Well." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "You have carte blanche." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very companion quietly. wedding?" either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at detective. lost his Christmas dinner." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "What! a murderous attack?" should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "You have the photograph?" shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, gone. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. charged with?" exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he at my remark. following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "But how?" colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Texas, I think." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! desk. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we salesman. already referred to. distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "It may not come to that," said Holmes. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "I say it is." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The the inquest, and which are worth considering." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in call for protection in the marriage market, for the present Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here coroner's jury." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." certainly do as you advise." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy the King without delay." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the footfalls from the street. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "I cannot tell." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. nothing of it?" "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my strong reason behind." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are to talk it over. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." matter over." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret