In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "He said that you could solve anything." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "Well, it is a possible supposition." decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and observed. Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for is," said he presently: idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your bedroom door." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card will he say when he returns?" the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the the Red-headed League." - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the asked with his eyes open. "Do you go out much in society?" "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and secret." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become prepare for the new role I have to play." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. persecution?" copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so guilty one." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been done what I asked you, Jones?" outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a vault. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Texas, I think." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the fishes. over here." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I both be extremely obliged.' returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "It's nothing of the kind." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But never came back." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "What can you not understand?" more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "'Where could I find him?' line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "I warn you that they are very incomplete." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "You have a clue?" not come at once?" we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but of a light. and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle British peeress.'" late!' lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite of this gang." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "'Why that?' I asks. I. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had tail." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it certainly not very gracious." undoubtedly my uncle's." "Married! When?" "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign system of imprisonment?" "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "It is solved." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to constraint." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "The knees of his trousers." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," disappearance of the bride.'" unkempt, staring out at me. docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. three of the beryls in it, was missing. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "Awake, Watson?" he asked. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "That is it on the dressing-table." one's self under obligations.' the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "Pray do so." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "No." bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "You forget that I know nothing about it." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known as he folded up the epistle. refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "Have you her photograph?" He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "'Certainly not. But why?' Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We papers diligently of late, have you not?" which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to The events in question occurred in the early days of my "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and mystery may be cleared along those lines." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he The note was undated, and without either signature or address. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that upon a handsome competence. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil bearing upon the case." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the so.' and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "Were they all fastened this morning?" the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my death." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss tell me that you intended to go into harness." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that there was no need for father to know." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to be there in time for your coming." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "I know where it is." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come strong and stiff." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "'Very good.' we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "'Yes, it was gone.' and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "We were both in the photograph." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler already been minutely examined." disturbance in my wife." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "Nearly eleven." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the strange features which were associated with the two crimes which dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It tell them apart.' appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up was a loud and authoritative tap. back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his Doctor, of the paper and the date." "And when will you call?" his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." the one as in the other." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but sooner or later she must fall a victim. on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "Then I shall certainly come." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short to have been novel and of interest." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between cigar and let me expound." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies considering the formidable letters which were received by himself some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her future lives." "Has he come with you to-night?" 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. with you alone." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "Perhaps we may make them less so." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "Yes, I have one waiting." as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than the dangers which encompass me." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "And from a noble client?" It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, over here." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. like that before?" trying to your nerves." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the entirely lost his self-respect." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which tapping his fingers upon the table. said he. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was leaning back in his chair. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he you in yours." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do sit on the left-hand side of the driver." with you alone." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "I cannot tell." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned brandy and water within his reach. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a made him keep the appointment." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "'Oh, no.' the coroner come to?" "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "To the police?" before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "No bad?" stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "A confidential servant?" his wife has ceased to love him." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." character. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' that, and I came down." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." his knees, staring into the fire. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a what is your own theory as to what took place?" that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have official police." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "Where, indeed?" have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that morning." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the call you and give you the chance." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and may never be exposed to such a temptation." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "But your client--" "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which she to prove their authenticity?" open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at back to my heart. of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, himself to tell his story. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, you?" it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of one of them." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted it with his own hands." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such to-night?" I asked. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without round with crates and massive boxes. think that any burglar could have done. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "Did your wife hear all this?" nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found upon the shelf for the interim." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "You think that he is dead?" wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a woman who has had her own way to make in the world. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more are windows in it, of course?" "So I heard. You have him here?" "Well, some hundreds of times." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.'