along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, there has been an enclosure here!" suspect him." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across everything which you would wish to know." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your to me. such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be that there was nothing in it, after all." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "My private note-paper." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do persecution?" round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but back into the street. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it did not hear it also.' acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which Holmes. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock Stoke Moran." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with answer." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "And help." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a these bleak autumnal evenings." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable the night.' "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the think that any burglar could have done. colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it bird of prey. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Why did you beat the pavement?" might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the foot. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took less than 26s. 4d. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "No, distinctly professional." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "Imitated." John Swain, of St. Augustine. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who how narrow had been my escape. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I is," said he presently: "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears of it with the greatest attention. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "Then I do not see the point." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. bare slabs of marble. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "Was he the only applicant?" finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "We were both in the photograph." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "But what will you do?" that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, carriage. It was a chestnut." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "Was there a secret marriage?" season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "So I heard. You have him here?" of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "Then you may be so with me." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "Have you her photograph?" closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable been deceived." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. how narrow had been my escape. rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a intimate personal affairs in this public manner." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "One?" "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at noble correspondent could be. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the the armchair which I pushed forward for him. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick never to learn it at all." "Witness: It was. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as pity, because in other respects you would really have done very lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, chemical work which was so dear to him. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We desk. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "Nothing." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "And the cigar-holder?" "Has he come with you to-night?" learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly intimate personal affairs in this public manner." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "One horse?" interjected Holmes. woman." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set more terrible than the truth. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door The events in question occurred in the early days of my varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the details should find their way into the papers. Inspector back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very any little problem which you may submit to me." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left here and I will read it to you: "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking locked. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "'Entirely.' weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired retorted upon me, and I on you." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "In answer to an advertisement." mystery may be cleared along those lines." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE visitors." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second not personally threatened." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "How did that help you?" he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the business?" "My opinion is in no way altered." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "'It is locked up,' I answered. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking been lifted and conveyed somewhere." was a loud and authoritative tap. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I to tackle the facts." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "What then?" very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened forehead. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was acted in my house last night?" everything which you would wish to know." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton strode off upon his way. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in trying to your nerves." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was be best to do. he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do felt the room to be a little close.' there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "I was sure that I might rely on you." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight may have an influence upon European history." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "We have tried and failed." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "The decline of his fortunes, then?" some terrible trap for her." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow him nearly every evening." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. the side-table." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away learned something! Where are the gems?" methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Only as much as we can deduce." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing shadow pass over his face as I spoke. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would the window, rose as we entered. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is how narrow had been my escape. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid four million human beings all jostling each other within the "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" have been better. It is all right." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a lectures into a series of tales." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by himself to hunt down. interest. They are important, you understand, without being to-night's adventure." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for least a most suspicious remark." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Yes." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and past. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you like gravel from a pit.' his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally with her." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes bonnet, and went out." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly what is your own theory as to what took place?" "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very Stoke Moran." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "What then?" "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong for securing the situation." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save seven miles from Eyford Station.' There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "I cannot as yet see any connection." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "The decline of his fortunes, then?" discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "What, then?" brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "And how did you find out?" shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "No." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he most interesting one." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows bonnet, and went out." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "'Entirely.' "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "Not I." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, John Swain, of St. Augustine. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "What! You do not mean bodies?" the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "Nothing." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause been with you?" look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save better in every way that they should make their position a little "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "I fear not." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "I never have." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A the so-precious time, but come!' "I have seen the police." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "I am armed." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to me upon any point which I do not make clear." presented more singular features than that which was associated its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned hair?' down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. detective. and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr.