was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A into her hand at the door and which lured her within their the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but clang of the bell. I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "ARAT," I read. cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "I see many objections to any such theory." that I can to serve you." "We were both in the photograph." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been during which he might have communicated with his friend the few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "Yes, all." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "Perhaps we may make them less so." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't and the church but not where the lady lived." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" ordinary clothes on?" "'What then?' I asked. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "Upon what point?" Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "VIOLET HUNTER." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding strength in the others." - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. tied." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the out of this horrible affair." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of stood on the top of it. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat to go into your room and bar your shutters?" fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable breakfast?" drove away. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "The landlord of the Alpha." "But not more so than I to find you." bonnet, and went out." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client the very morning of the wedding." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "I should like to see him very much." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable carpenter." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which taking in every detail of the apartment. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his strode off upon his way. "In what way?" asked Holmes. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper rose-bushes. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their him nearly every evening." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All obstinate." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "Thank you. And your address?" Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "I came to find a friend." call you and give you the chance." "No more words. Get out!" to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I electronic works only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "Here?" coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of to me. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been writers could invent nothing more crude." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It villagers almost as much as their master. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "Nothing." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for were wasted." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between heavy and sharp instrument." of them has the shutters up.' friend's singular character. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so his knees, staring into the fire. at a side door. "What will you say?" force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging in this way: from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "What have you done?" asked Holmes. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came people in all walks of life. before the coroner and the police-court." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try fashion which was peculiar to him. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "And how did he make his money?" the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort hopeless attempt at recovering them." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "Have you it here?" "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "Where, then, is my wife?" was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "No, thank goodness, she did not." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. I approached. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say brandy and water within his reach. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the know all about it," he snarled. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My all that?" lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "What will you say?" "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at writers could invent nothing more crude." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "No more words. Get out!" your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. burst out into a roar of laughter. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At one which it was hard to resist. "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "That's no good." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "How did you trace it, then?" once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and weigh very heavily upon my conscience." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his into the room. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "Was she in good spirits?" only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when business?" observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "Where did you address your letters, then?" another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "Where, then, is my wife?" "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "You have but to name it." if she died from some sudden fright." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "Who was the criminal, then?" the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this advice." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, his cane at the bell-pull. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt the one as in the other." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" quick march!" homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well was a perfect sample of the class. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me lost his Christmas dinner." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. long narrative. been deceived." "Then I do not see the point." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "'Certainly not.' shoulder; "he's all right." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, had died away into the silence from which it rose. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Then I am your man." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "ARAT," I read. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident you." "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, occurred." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never one's self under obligations.' top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want became a certainty. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, McCarthy." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "Of what?" said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a all-comprehensive glances. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "Well?" little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Was she in good spirits?" the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "What then?" look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a lips." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I was not a bird to be seen there. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm in his power. seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who approach us with offers to donate. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "Frequently." "The vanishing of the lady." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "Precisely." papers." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and criminal. We have already had experience of such." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or the bottom.' "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. new duties?' "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the 'please.'" was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my business." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to chair. has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "And the murderer?" my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the quickly through a disagreeable task. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our death." "'How far from the body?' some water from a caraffe. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "It must be recovered." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from cost them two and thirty pounds." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was not within a twentieth part of the market price." "You have but to name it." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her