him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry the coronet in his hand?" consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "Awake, Watson?" he asked. learned something! Where are the gems?" "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "Witness: I must still refuse. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not if only as a check to my own memory." "I cannot tell." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "And how did you find out?" any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "No, finished." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then right! Sit down and let us talk it over." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "Absolutely none." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On arrested. You then--" everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "It must be recovered." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. him. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no from you?" "She told me to ask you." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "The murder was done with it." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a six. Come in!" the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "Was he the only applicant?" of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to Miss Holder?" and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own said he. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this behind me. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon the coroner come to?" and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small at my own good fortune. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "Of Friday, June 19th." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," to-night." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting green of the new foliage. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "And what then?" There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Will you go?" his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say carriage. It was a chestnut." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess test if we have an answer to our advertisement." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "But you were on a friendly footing?" being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where is," said he presently: Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the companion. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "It certainly sounds feasible." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "'What are you doing there?' he asked. respectable self." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "Was your sister dressed?" - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to of campaign. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer overpowering excitement and concern. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am call you and give you the chance." his face which made him a very different person to the round, still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "Where, then?" with you alone." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to leaning back in his chair. to miss it." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will to that open window." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "They are typewritten," I remarked. "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, giving me time to thank him. I. north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "'Where could I find him?' least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple which are rolled in Rotterdam." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "He is dead," cried several voices. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then mysterious end." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our anything to a woman, for she would have her way." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I good-night and bustled off upon her way. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at arrested. You then--" easy-going way." have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "Yes, he did." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the signal between you and your father? "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide burst into a hearty fit of laughter. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of union?" "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "What?" used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no events, Mr. Windibank!" The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying the inquest, and which are worth considering." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "No bad?" "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, that you can jump it.' we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm case-book, which he consulted. "On Monday." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid business matters.' your sleep?' shoulder; "he's all right." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have know all about it," he snarled. take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "Ample." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with pictures, libraries, or plate. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Yes." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "The vanishing of the lady." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "I should wish to." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "Why, what do you mean?" is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all shoulder. "Pray do so." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "You saw the ventilator, too?" it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope thin legs towards the fire. such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a tail." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is get the tickets." yards of it?' the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a returning from some small jollification and was making his way upon an income of about 60 pounds." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang shag which I had seen upon the previous night. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great your billet.' open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss just ask you whether you had heard it.' firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to Count Von Kramm." you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "Precisely." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "I cannot tell." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "But how did you gain them?" after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, main points of my analysis." "One of the highest in England." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" gigantic client. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "Why did you beat the pavement?" letters?" beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak things are very often connected not with the larger but with the which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. pictures, libraries, or plate. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide vault. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our photograph a cabinet?" array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his you give your casting vote to?" copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of to surprise her." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We husband's writing, madam." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "Pray be precise as to details," said he. colour had been driven from his face. attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, that you saw all that I did." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. see a sister of mine apply for." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "But it has twice been burgled." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the was shining brightly. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the public press." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Pray do so." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been companion. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "What office?" "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From of his shoulders. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to giving me time to thank him. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had wife's character?" was keenly on my guard against him. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "Your presence might be invaluable." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. his knees, staring into the fire. skylight. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb Project Gutenberg-tm works. they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he The King stared at him in amazement. foot. thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in hurried by. go back?" I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." important." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Of what day?" the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his recall any case within my experience which looked at the first can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was asked. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it for the market.'