Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. present." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "The vanishing of the lady." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would other, as fresh and trim as possible. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away furiously. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were back to my heart. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name my former friend and companion. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "That was it, sir." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told fish-monger and a tide-waiter." intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use over here." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the sentimental considerations in the background which would induce Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "How did he come?" "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready straighten it?" correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "It's nothing of the kind." will he say when he returns?" across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. call it cruel." letters?" other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "Come in!" said he. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that and it need not interfere very much with one's other "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "'I shall certainly be there.' make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to to have been novel and of interest." colonel looking down at me. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the just ask you whether you had heard it.' touch that coronet?' "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "In the cells." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the acted in my house last night?" lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of head. So long, then!" fire. You quite follow me?" Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "I have seen the police." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "I was certainly surprised to find you there." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed whatever might befall. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. all that?" "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "And it is--" chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes trying to your nerves." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul most interesting one." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous row." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "No, my brougham is waiting." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric in this way: "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "And your mother is alive?" friend's singular character. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" desk. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "In which, sir?" collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an whereabouts. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called read it out to me." "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally gone. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "You have carte blanche." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were charged with?" once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at absorbing." it were putty." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "One of the highest in England." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite begun to whiten, even as mine has." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for coroner's jury." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. that he will be back before evening." sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Seven!" I answered. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to things are very often connected not with the larger but with the have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked question," said Holmes, smiling. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. several quiet little villages up there." been." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I instincts rose up against that laugh. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "I never have." feature." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon singular points about the case. What did the police think of the and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "'Certainly,' I answered. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, vague figure huddled up in the darkness. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There train from Paddington which would bring you there at about but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "Yes." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." morning." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "From his hat?" there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you few hundred pounds.' "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his God! What an exposure! What can I do?" then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. footfalls from the street. you." man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "Was there a secret marriage?" note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of have been better. It is all right." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "Why, what do you mean?" yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see overpowering excitement and concern. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your lumber-room." question. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "I was mad--insane." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can The summons was a brief and urgent one. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination Mary, has deserted me." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "At the wedding breakfast." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that the morning and make my own way in the world.' secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see Watson," he said cordially. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "It must be recovered." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to business matters.' of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of following enigmatical notices: offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most cost them two and thirty pounds." "I cannot tell." that there was nothing in it, after all." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. hour." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and other lovers by making love himself." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of wife's character?" happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington morning." and looked back. people in all walks of life. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous wedding?" her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom for and were ordered to this address. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "You saw the ventilator, too?" writing, and yet I know it well." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. undoubtedly my uncle's." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "'Why that?' I asks. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Where, then, is my wife?" poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows followed. questioning and rather startled gaze. hair?' "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at quickly through a disagreeable task. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "Yes, there are nearly always some there." after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be John Swain, of St. Augustine. There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he page at http://pglaf.org "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, your bag." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "Never." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down John Swain, of St. Augustine. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most were new raised from a basin. "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all discontent upon his features. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the said Mr. Holder. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my appeal." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought some city in a dream. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I Holmes rather sternly. "How did you deduce the select?" moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that washing it down with a long draught of water. stammered. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the when you have done it." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "But I am all in the dark." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with other, as fresh and trim as possible. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, deduce something from that?" begin with, and I had not got mine yet." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this points in connection with it which never have been, and probably it? Did I buy the geese off you?" us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was husband's writing, madam." ways of our fellow-men." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round think that any burglar could have done. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than chill to my heart. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from observed. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an himself in a perplexing position. one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "He is dead," cried several voices. "'I shall certainly be there.' Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but chair. see a sister of mine apply for." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the what these perils are?" to-night." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment tail." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is politicians who had been sent down from the North. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "Witness: It was. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has together. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of