closing the door. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "Never." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, could go. but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is other lovers by making love himself." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "My dear Holmes!" "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "I would pay ten." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire sit on the left-hand side of the driver." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" help us in this matter." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the putting in the horse. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed about here speaks of his kindness to him." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action that threaten you." "I don't believe it." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a province." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to girl said." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I peculiar to him. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No indiscretion." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin words came to my lips. I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for villagers almost as much as their master. balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for present." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that think you a quite exceptional woman." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with danger is over." "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was the coronet in his hand?" was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was invisible to me," I remarked. disappearance of these gems?" foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "I should be immensely obliged to you." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking bachelor.' I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in amused." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; question," said Holmes, smiling. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among third from London." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "'Certainly not.' carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of useful material for showing traces. The double line a little almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt http://gutenberg.net/license). will take you up to see the machine.' should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Stolen, then." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled enter Dr. Roylott's room." washing it down with a long draught of water. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the man. I know him from the photograph." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange through." new duties?' settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it mysterious end." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "What office?" of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Absolutely?" narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "My own seal." with you?" One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning to have been novel and of interest." a suggestive one." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there room?" "Well." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. should be taken.' which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A triumphant cloud from his cigarette. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "His face fell immediately. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "'About the same.' acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "'Not at all. I only doubt--' I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, married her." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "'A dozen yards or so.' "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even License. You must require such a user to return or constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "No, distinctly professional." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I hurried away. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and time." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "How did that help you?" bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' papers must be those that are destroyed.' horse could go." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. one which it was hard to resist. charged with?" Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly before, for it was considerably after midnight. ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off Pope's Court. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" death." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "What, then, did Peterson do?" bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was he bowed and left the room without another word. France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "That also I could fathom." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. all that?" or in danger--" "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my are windows in it, of course?" grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and call it cruel." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What fluttered off among the others. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "You have compromised yourself seriously." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a will not take me long to tell. "You will not go there first?" broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own nights." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the page at http://pglaf.org beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the whatever might befall. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "You have the photograph?" "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." wedding?" "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which spare." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "No. His orders were to stay in the house." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said bonnet, and went out." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, it." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just 'I should be able to look after that for you.' your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our train.' "Yes, only one." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish neither fascinating nor artistic." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "Yes." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press already been minutely examined." bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have and prosperity to your house. Good-night." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived weary and pale-looking. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. never came back." "But you were on a friendly footing?" he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "And you thought he was pulled back?" that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in rooms." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power that I can to serve you." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "None." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do Pope's Court, Fleet Street." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a the morning and make my own way in the world.' metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as with the outside air!" handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had highly," said Holmes. weapon." "Then I shall certainly come." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "But you were on a friendly footing?" wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and what these perils are?" sake, don't!" dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "And sit in the dark?" he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "May I see it?" "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "'A dozen yards or so.' "'Yes, it was gone.' charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home the bed, and you in that chair." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "No, thank goodness, she did not." Dr. Gregory B. Newby "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "To an English lawyer named Norton." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest this remarkable episode. "You have carte blanche." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange he. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. you in your example." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "'What would be the hours?' I asked. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project IS the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "'Entirely.' eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your true." very old mansion. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very obstinate." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "They are typewritten," I remarked. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "How many? I don't know." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "And the cigar-holder?" sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock conclusions. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," conversation I have gathered that they have been married about and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "No." call you and give you the chance."