girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "I cannot tell." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California The summons was a brief and urgent one. "Here?" 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went presume?" to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of written, and locked the door of the office after me. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a Munro.' like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was me. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "Do you know him?" the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. bore every mark of being an average commonplace British remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "Because he was handy and would come cheap." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the as the one I chose?' few hundred pounds.' something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "It surprised me." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided most important business. It is probable that he will be away all Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are points to suicide?" "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical them?" for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp I shall communicate with you." fact, we may call it conclusive." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "On the contrary, this is the right side." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "How did that help you?" of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll indeed which he could not unravel. "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "It is to him that this trophy belongs." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at secret." "We must have a cab." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our gbnewby@pglaf.org that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek the matter?" cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "But to whom?" and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not are windows in it, of course?" ways of our fellow-men." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" paper in the air. in your London, you will know that the office of the company is clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the outside. To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his obstinate." "'And what salary do you ask?' voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened felt?" and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of strength in the others." following enigmatical notices: Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for both be extremely obliged.' appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "But your client--" all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "No, my brougham is waiting." in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being for the market.' the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us was feeling which was the fattest.' when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father to affect your life." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend it." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand bare slabs of marble. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round clang of the bell. actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "She told me to ask you." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "Then how many are there?" "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of know all about it," he snarled. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a This is what he says: But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There round and wave him away like that.' plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague down from London to inquire more deeply into it." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have happened." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "'And what are they worth?' I asked. Clair, of Lee." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" arrested. You then--" destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and laid it on the table. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." to Leatherhead. turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the he. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' row." "So I am. Very much so." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "And what then?" knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the at a side door. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is whereabouts. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." pictures, libraries, or plate. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "Where, indeed?" "Dirty?" "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "So I heard. You have him here?" "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a definite end. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the it? Did I buy the geese off you?" in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I the address that was given us in the advertisement. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his criminal. We have already had experience of such." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of served to weaken the effect. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a The telegram which we eventually received came late one night all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Was your sister dressed?" name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having wife's character?" the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, seven miles from Eyford Station.' utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King daring than any effort of the imagination." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." on re-entering her father's house?" official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia mysterious end." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what the roots. "But his left-handedness." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way pictures, libraries, or plate. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been me. You must get home instantly and act." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was spare." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. six. Come in!" "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "Because he was handy and would come cheap." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so swore that no one else had been in the front room during the their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in Leave Paddington by the 11:15." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "To the police?" stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "Yesterday." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "No, I had a dozen." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In what I may call a really hard day's work." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin dates and names. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend along the entire front of the house, with three long windows Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "'Where to?' "But you have hopes?" reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect the address that was given us in the advertisement. the driver. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, Surrey." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the Arthur Conan Doyle civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' note?" pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the do you make of it all?" doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or thirty. sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the success. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms ago." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord shall not find me ungrateful." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, my former friend and companion. "Never to return." empty. "There are none." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting shadow pass over his face as I spoke. brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has I nodded again. or in danger--" defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite business matters.' "No?" happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "It is his hat." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "That is easily got." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, The summons was a brief and urgent one. strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social late." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable manager. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every do." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in leave you to your papers for a little." I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "'About the same.' Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he what is your own theory as to what took place?" your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "But to whom?" diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his matter over." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the the one as in the other." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "Texas, I think." "Of what day?" "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I Munro.' something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." character. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. true." relief. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me carried out of court." had picked up in the wood. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "Not particularly." husband's writing, madam." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. believe that I should never have any practice at all. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and constraint." "You are all wrong." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "You have the photograph?" the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to