loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "Nothing." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "No." Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "'Where could I find him?' away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. During two years I have had three consultations and one small explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. arrested. You then--" "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "Not yet." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched started for the Temple to see my husband. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter not as remarkable as your advertisement." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "I fear not." "Then you may entirely rely on me." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it them present such singular features as the strange train of "The vanishing of the lady." "It was an hour's good drive." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some beyond words. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. habit of advancing money.' "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, disturbance in my wife." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the just called myself is not exactly my own." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking floor. "Upon what point?" passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine up this clue while it is still hot." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." affection." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his with the outside air!" and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is formed some opinion?" only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Not yet." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to charge against him will break down." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' was not a bird to be seen there. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." him. sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, third from London." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, quickly through a disagreeable task. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "Game for a morning drive?" man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, like that before?" protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled derbies." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a the dangers which encompass me." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "Has he come with you to-night?" the inquest, and which are worth considering." way: in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be any." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on question," said Holmes, smiling. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." even so self-evident a thing as that." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "Yes." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her breakfast?" tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "No, I am descending." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of gone. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be populous neighbourhood." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as friend's singular character. the window, rose as we entered. "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms that you wished to speak to me?' yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand weighed down with some great anxiety. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "What!" he roared. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of think that he is innocent?" the armchair which I pushed forward for him. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate his grey eyes. "None." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "And your father? Did you tell him?" it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' entirely devoid of interest." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." official police." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. charged with?" he. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Quite so." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "'Certainly,' I answered. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of investigation." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the gone. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in to a light-house. receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Certainly." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the foot. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in the address that was given us in the advertisement. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion gigantic client. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful advice." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the forecastle of an emigrant ship. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "When did she vanish, then?" utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the confronted him. away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "I have seen the police." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked most interesting one." "'Stolen!' he cried. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg depend upon my doing so.' can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no Sholtos." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you I am not easy in my mind about them." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the weighed down with some great anxiety. one of them." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "Well?" refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "'I am sure if I had known--' it with his own hands." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "Nothing." entirely devoid of interest." to-night?' "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" hour." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I details." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "But how?" naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and the very morning of the wedding." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a see me here to avoid scandal." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "He might." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the fled together." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "It is solved." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were coat-tails." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "No, distinctly professional." very old mansion. "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "We must sit without light. He would see it through the the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "The doctor?" the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon take the flies, but not before." amused." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in was a lad." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was thirty. head. So long, then!" "How did he come?" "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "And Irene Adler?" "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in served to weaken the effect. the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything call you and give you the chance." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of in this note: of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary subject to the trademark license, especially commercial out of this horrible affair." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a than to us. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "Was the window open?" may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I future lives." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "A confidential servant?" London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "Nearly eleven." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "Yes, but only for you and me." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew strength." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." if I call to-morrow?" wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently photograph?" any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the Mary, has deserted me." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "'Ample.' he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy.