- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I you give your casting vote to?" across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" fashion which was peculiar to him. the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a Edgeware Road. day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in For additional contact information: encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about compunction about shooting them down." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And morning." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Absolutely?" preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone the armchair which I pushed forward for him. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Why serious?" face and glided from the room. sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is fasten all the windows?" Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "But it has twice been burgled." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened to me. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "'What do you call purely nominal?' "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, But Holmes shook his head gravely. "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "You have the photograph?" rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "Indeed! Whose, then?" I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, crime. sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought have an American origin." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "We have tried and failed." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "'Ten to two.' presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Absolutely?" "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "He disappeared so suddenly." arrangements." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "I think it very unlikely." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too six. Come in!" "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my row." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue of the efforts of the United States government and of the better feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "Very murderous indeed." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "And now?" He raised his hand. What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a Clair, of Lee." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "What?" "But she will refuse." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his fish-monger and a tide-waiter." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," Heh?' to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "I came to find a friend." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them States. mysterious end." way in everything. a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would back alive. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "And who is her maid?" made him keep the appointment." records." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "Has he come with you to-night?" eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to beg that you will break it off." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or place of silver." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of woman." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap prove to be little relation between the different incidents of and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two and laid it on the table. cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then guilty one." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. late!' and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few not within a twentieth part of the market price." "Not him." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away it with his own hands." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her best detective that ever lived. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with three of the beryls in it, was missing. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium gives a meaning to it." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the other lovers by making love himself." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." Countess of Morcar's?" warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had was already answered. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely it." him to go away.' Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." your Highness to the police-station?" which we had just quitted. what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "9th. McCauley cleared. taking in every detail of the apartment. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "Yes." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an foot. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." crackling voice. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew Eyford." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a heavy and sharp instrument." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "Was there a secret marriage?" public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband to arrive at through this?" homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent singular points about the case. What did the police think of the over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have the morning and make my own way in the world.' copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me it." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "What shall I do?" "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Stolen." throat." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past points to suicide?" companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. foresight and the moral retrogression?" side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would cost them two and thirty pounds." say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a delirious. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel ago." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "He slept on the premises." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had mystery may be cleared along those lines." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is within hail.' "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," such person." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage II. And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, be best to do. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "I should be immensely obliged to you." about. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was children over to America with him, so that I found myself without top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the call you and give you the chance." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "No legal papers or certificates?" "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "Certainly." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "What of the rat, then?" "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "Where, then?" you." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, particular state visit http://pglaf.org of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "No, finished." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was asked. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "Precisely so. But how--" these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His morning." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning pound a week." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no brandy and water within his reach. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and in the port of London." "I do." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the stepfather?" introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some upon an income of about 60 pounds." "No legal papers or certificates?" lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "But how?" come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is miles off. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my away into the river." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, chair. 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." out." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "The doctor?" alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses point our research must commence, and we will begin it by uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There papers must be those that are destroyed.' closely." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." green of the new foliage. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which Count Von Kramm." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' washing it down with a long draught of water. the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open