vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "By no means." "It is half-past ten now." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and derbies." "What?" "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." sufficient punishment." excitement. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave feature." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the handed it to him. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was It was close upon four before the door opened, and a There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "'Ample.' very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "And how did he make his money?" business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed foot. "And you can do nothing until then?" is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you events, Mr. Windibank!" "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "I will do it." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed lost nothing by them." "My Mary? Impossible!" "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a goes." directors, with the result that you have seen." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he said I. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." Eyford at 11:15.' if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "You did not overhear what they said?" shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil fear." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I asked. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who DAMAGE. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with Gutenberg-tm License. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain problems help me to do so." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had Eyford." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & point our research must commence, and we will begin it by until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four photograph?" this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting room had already been engaged for us. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and papers diligently of late, have you not?" "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "You are all wrong." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was events, Mr. Windibank!" thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "Of what?" could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," criminal. We have already had experience of such." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative fait accompli?" never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the be there in time for your coming." Count Von Kramm." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "Dr. Becher's." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "That is possible." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "'Is purely nominal.' least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work even of instruction." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' leave you to your papers for a little." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "What steps will you take?" I asked. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that business." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." points to suicide?" however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "But you were on a friendly footing?" success. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more tightly behind him. Sutherland?" that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "May I see it?" result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do that, and I came down." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity papers on the sundial.'" dear old homesteads?" and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found in his hands." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "What! You do not mean bodies?" "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "And you thought he was pulled back?" impression behind it as though a window had gently closed permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" Countess of Morcar's?" man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm where Mr. Fordham shows you.' keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "It is very kind of you." "And for present expenses?" "This photograph!" "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "Yes, it was twisted." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "She showed me, as I told you she would." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, the King without delay." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "But it has twice been burgled." empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some when you have done it." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest examine." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and when your master had gone out." McCarthy." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. society." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "No, my brougham is waiting." respectable self." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest me. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "And is that all?" photograph?" "So I have heard." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be it right.' a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That dear old homesteads?" We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. up this clue while it is still hot." danger is over." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. good-night and bustled off upon her way. My friend smiled. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic the stable lane now." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "What!" he roared. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out details should find their way into the papers. Inspector tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little to-night's adventure." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was until night should bring an explanation. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go if I call to-morrow?" Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "BALLARAT." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the over with notes and figures. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." his wife has ceased to love him." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "Precisely." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "He disappeared so suddenly." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Yes, but only for you and me." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "She walked into the breakfast-room." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice be sorry for having acted so harshly." in his hands." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" answered with a sidelong glance. trying to your nerves." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old not interfere, come what may. You understand?" Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, straighten it?" this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or evidence," I remarked. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So bedroom door." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost events, Mr. Windibank!" paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon The summons was a brief and urgent one. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the out of this horrible affair." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you not personally threatened." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "But his left-handedness." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "Oh, fresh and glossy." may have an influence upon European history." the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "He said too much." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very McCarthy." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all envelope. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit nights." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the him, that man would not have given me such complete information "One of the highest in England." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." and laid it on the table. stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur presume?" fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was with the outside air!" yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and to his chemical studies. have had none more fantastic than this." there is a decided draught." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it before, for it was considerably after midnight. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who sooner or later she must fall a victim. tell him that I know him to be innocent." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven taking in every detail of the apartment. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." there!' dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "You'll never persuade me to believe that." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "'Certainly not.' interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves present strange and interesting features that it is no easy utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "'Then let me do so?' "Dark enough and sinister enough." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular was once confined in the cab my mission was practically A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way was a lad." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe have had none more fantastic than this." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this You want to know what became of those geese?" envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you copied or distributed: "Why did you pick him?" eat it."