"You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "And what did you learn from him?" the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up deduce something from that?" which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend anything to a woman, for she would have her way." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side pound a week." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted McCarthy." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "But not more so than I to find you." o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying the salesman. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second late!' "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Did he not advertise?" dead, shall be safe with us." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "Proceed, then." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the nonsense.' feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "In San Francisco, a year ago." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous in this note: pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their next day. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "Pray do so." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "Yes." excitement. so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "But how did you gain them?" dear old homesteads?" "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "On your arm?" the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in with frightened eyes at his accuser. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "Nothing." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "I shall be delighted." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the vanished into the darkness. standing smiling on the door-step. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. detained." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old go from here to the Strand." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "Of what?" "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke your room." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "On your arm?" "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is south, for the country is more deserted there." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "'Very good.' immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife within hail.' marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "But your client--" 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some IS had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Certainly." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem will he say when he returns?" "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all upon the sideboard." answer." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" such person." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to subject to the trademark license, especially commercial with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "We were both in the photograph." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to again, where I was soon asleep. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "Well?" gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to down from London to inquire more deeply into it." until night should bring an explanation. I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "'Yes.' some terrible trap for her." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "One of the highest in England." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "'And the work?' "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "No, I am descending." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "That is unusual in a young girl." ashen face. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the was once confined in the cab my mission was practically of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while galvanised. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my him!" such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of held up the lantern and gazed about him. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "Certainly." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the kindly on the shoulder. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." companion. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "A confidential servant?" side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may tell him that I know him to be innocent." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, it were putty." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." danger is over." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "Is he quiet?" off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it over part of the map. "What do you read?" of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the indeed happy." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, into the room. "My opinion is in no way altered." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a corner of the building. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "But you can know nothing of this?" you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." direction." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "Yes, that is the Crown." it." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of nights." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "One?" village inn over there?" means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "Precisely so. But how--" occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you is worth.' He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "By no means." to have been novel and of interest." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "We must sit without light. He would see it through the the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, redistribution. They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. empty. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid horse could go." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so mystery!" My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." unprofitable." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight just ask you whether you had heard it.' "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found legal crime." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America suddenly upon us." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. go back?" years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich that I can to serve you." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any wife's character?" other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from the date of his supposed suicide." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "To the police?" the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering keep the flames under. business?" shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to which are rolled in Rotterdam." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." fire. You quite follow me?" "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to your own bird, so if you wish--" "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. Chief Executive and Director had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went this Miss Turner." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "I will, Miss Turner." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "Is he quiet?" banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "Oh, yes, easily." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and narrative." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "About a month then." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. one else, I think." Count Von Kramm." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week question," said Holmes, smiling. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of as yours." "'Then let me do so?' enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "But what will you do?" property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling time." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go following enigmatical notices: too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered even of instruction." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "But your client--" the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not to affect your life." my room." trying to your nerves." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply look dissatisfied." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any to you." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "Ten will be early enough." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "Well." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "Look there!" said he. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." ways of our fellow-men." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "No. What a strange idea!" knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "I was afraid that you were engaged." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's been with you?" you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and main points of my analysis." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "Could he throw no light?" He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective you do it in twenty minutes!' clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "That is not always so easy." "Ah!" "When did she vanish, then?" the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "And help." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done gone. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, to-night's adventure." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "And from a noble client?" "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "In San Francisco, a year ago." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, back alive. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, Holmes' face clouded over. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the definite end. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the of." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The power." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, outside." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. tear off another piece?' quick march!" was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "There are none." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "Yes." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again.