the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "What will you do, then?" wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that his cane at the bell-pull. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the the devil!" "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of putting in the horse. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand Leave Paddington by the 11:15." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "What will you do, then?" problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE there in twenty minutes." feature." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the the devil!" "'Ten to two.' quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new was already answered. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon persecution?" been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a eat it." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, vault. felt?" "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at The telegram which we eventually received came late one night purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking which was all perfectly true. most interesting one." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to cigars in their mouths. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could conceal it?" "Then I can wait in the next room." "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "'I am sure that I do not know.' my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs for its centre. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "Nothing?" with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I said I. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "This concluded the examination of the witness." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "You'll never persuade me to believe that." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of I have it here in my museum." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. The note was undated, and without either signature or address. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and memory. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little one of the states of the Union." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "'Very good.' thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "BALLARAT." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "I think that it is very probable." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal on re-entering her father's house?" Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to Street. more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to Does that suggest anything?" and all of them with the keenest interest. little trying to do so much typewriting?" those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "Did you become engaged then?" with her." strong and stiff." fattened it expressly for you.' heavy and sharp instrument." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like mysterious business." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a the coronet at all injured?" eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "May I see it?" "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note indeed which he could not unravel. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "That is also quite modern," said the lady. surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, answer." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' come either from the window or the door. My attention was Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "But how will you look?" events than those which have happened in my own family." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He prisoner's face. day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been noting anything else of interest. "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a done what I asked you, Jones?" "'Certainly not. But why?' bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow roused himself from his reverie. which was all perfectly true. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "How can you tell that?" the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I whereabouts. fattened it expressly for you.' It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the you do it in twenty minutes!' "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "Was the window open?" set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "'You doubt its value?' he asked. society." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg enter into my head. morning." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a wedding?" "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three have not had my rubber." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United straightened it out again. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to me. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very one's self under obligations.' something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "Yes." said he. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "You did not overhear what they said?" found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is Project Gutenberg-tm works. and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door lost his Christmas dinner." against a man in the prime of life?" geese which you supplied to the Alpha." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I new acquaintance to Baker Street. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "No, I had a dozen." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Well, but China?" "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to Watson," he said cordially. "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the before the coroner and the police-court." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that to have been novel and of interest." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he so far?" he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "They are typewritten," I remarked. her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the that he has suffered." "Dirty?" to have been novel and of interest." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "You have compromised yourself seriously." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand could go. have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable what is your own theory as to what took place?" glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in were unconscious?" laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "Not social, then?" morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be Miss Holder?" "Won't it ring?" "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his make me his representative both with the servants and with the whatever might befall. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. believe that I should never have any practice at all. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "Dr. Becher's." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to she has been waylaid. There has been no result." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "And the cigar-holder?" Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile question you as to those details which seem to me to be most into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to into the bag, and made for the door. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good derbies." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's think that he is innocent?" "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "'I am sure if I had known--' simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled status with the IRS. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. fat-encircled eyes. tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "What can it mean?" I gasped. "A client, then?" Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that think that he is innocent?" The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "I think it very unlikely." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared papers on the sundial.'" Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no have not had my rubber." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons sit on the left-hand side of the driver." depend upon my doing so.' have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am and wait." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as to Leatherhead. I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "Of what?" 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that sofa. This way, please!" London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little signal between you and your father? front of me. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place you." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door ventilator." galvanised. away into the river." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my all that?" though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at conduct the inquiry." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" But Holmes shook his head gravely. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "I have my revolver," said I. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that carpenter." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are Sholtos." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' least a fellow-countryman. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the keep the flames under. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain Stoke Moran." III. "Yes." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "But how?" delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "Where, then, is my wife?" "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "No." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" that I can to serve you." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured as noiselessly as she had come. against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "That also I could fathom." mysterious business." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free