it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. to surprise her." think you a quite exceptional woman." there!' consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "Who by?" poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project their singular warning or token before them when starting upon compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare I approached. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. to tell." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in grasp, he hurried from the room. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. is so. I know all about McCarthy." other means.' from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I think, you have already met." "And your mother is alive?" See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside might have a private word with us. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate know what is wrong with it.' his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were and have this put in the evening papers." laugh and put his lips to my ear. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "Where did you address your letters, then?" pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "You have it, sir, just as it happened." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin use an arc-and-compass breastpin." wall." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "To an English lawyer named Norton." read it out to me." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent him, that man would not have given me such complete information in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "How can you tell that?" figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very will he say when he returns?" out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." allusion to a rat. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, and laid it on the table. believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "How did he come?" As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much you." skylight. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was of your young ladies.' case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who definite end. bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "'It is locked up,' I answered. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "Have you it here?" We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "Thank you. And your address?" would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. ago." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of floor. and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "Game for a morning drive?" "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for the Assizes." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I walking." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his present strange and interesting features that it is no easy that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. is worth.' sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a carpenter." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' begin with, and I had not got mine yet." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one himself in a perplexing position. one else, I think." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in entirely lost his self-respect." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and had died away into the silence from which it rose. "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I garden below. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each the very morning of the wedding." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, joking. of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found Foundation "You are hungry," I remarked. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little the general public were present, then?" description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the your room." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from beg that you will break it off." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a never came back." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of in the hope of finding them." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "And how have you succeeded?" "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself suspect him." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret business." "Certainly, madam." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "Not I." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "Nothing." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." arrangements." "I cannot imagine." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be Holmes' thin, eager face. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America side. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "'I am sure that I do not know.' "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, said I. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of hands. once more for Briony Lodge. "Was your sister dressed?" was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "It is true that I have been generally successful." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were would then never go into court at all." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With results." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "You heard nothing yourself last night?" that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, remarked. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my generous with you in money matters.' Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "That is easily got." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn asked. lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "On your arm?" possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might some terrible trap for her." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened Lee, in the county of Kent." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "Never to return." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "Which are?" the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "By train from Waterloo." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but said he at last. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "He slept on the premises." know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "Yes, sir." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote absolutely follow my advice in every respect." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "There is the writing." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "Nothing." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method approach us with offers to donate. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "What! You do not mean bodies?" "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this not fit the lock." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "But the mystery?" actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "He might." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "Then I shall certainly come." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "Yes, at the mines." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and that he will be back before evening." of the way of danger. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the in a friendly supper." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner lost nothing by them." McCarthy's innocence. was it brought him the coronet? the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so garden below. national property. I was determined that the law should have its McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "A confidential servant?" o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the appeal." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "Pray be precise as to details," said he. few hundred pounds.' usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet tear off another piece?' placed his cuttings. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the I am not easy in my mind about them." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "Stoke Moran?" said he. see me here to avoid scandal." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "Well, it is a possible supposition." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "What will you say?" "Why, what do you mean?" introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with John Swain, of St. Augustine. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' the south-west, I see." might help us?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." chance." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." my room." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "No." I. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which call you and give you the chance." head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "I think that it is very probable." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his one or two very singular points about this room. For example, against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, lost nothing by them." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the during which he might have communicated with his friend the another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the chamber." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "Frequently." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London II. "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "You horrify me." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be me upon any point which I do not make clear." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had of campaign. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a but preventing her from injuring another. "Yes, but only for you and me." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside hour." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband away into the river." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "But he might be a bachelor." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. It may be so in this case, also." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said,