"Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did it were putty." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began not use it unless it is absolutely needed." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "By all means." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with had died away into the silence from which it rose. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very quite distinctive." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "No?" that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "I never have." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by any." true." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, You can understand that this register and diary may implicate His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "What then?" that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "'Yes, it was gone.' have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "But of what society?" "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn my former friend and companion. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign with some details as to your case." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed anything to do with the matter?" could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round said he, "my real name is James Ryder." was a lad." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "Where did you address your letters, then?" and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "I cannot imagine." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of himself to hunt down. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the everything which you would wish to know." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very and inquire as to the address." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the obstinate." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "Yes, there are nearly always some there." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging individual and becomes the badge of a society." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, shoulder; "he's all right." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was Leadenhall Street--and--" in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "I know where it is." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "You will not go there first?" darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, it? Did I buy the geese off you?" John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he case-book, which he consulted. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, that before taking the final step I should like to submit the whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would spark where all is dark to me." is," said he presently: Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "And how did you find out?" great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came congratulate you again." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "But it has twice been burgled." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. DISSOLVED. "I know where it is." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your forecastle of an emigrant ship. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place said I. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "No more words. Get out!" The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs You want to know what became of those geese?" gentleman's clothes. "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "Here?" out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be if only as a check to my own memory." "It surprised me." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. until night should bring an explanation. a very grave face. his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and ill-usage at the hands of fortune. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "An enemy?" then?" didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "Texas, I think." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "No." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since your equipment. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "My private note-paper." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "Yes." This is what he says: age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very you." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider that you wished to speak to me?' "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "The murder was done with it." charge against him will break down." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "But you have hopes?" wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "What do you make of that, Watson?" unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "Murdered?" on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss of your young ladies.' case before our client came into the room." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the presented more singular features than that which was associated sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "Pray continue your narrative." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the one of them." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." until night should bring an explanation. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "I think it very unlikely." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "Upon what point?" turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of bears upon the case?" now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you the very letters. But what is this written above them?' inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep strength." morning." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the brandy and water within his reach. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "You were travelling in the States?" upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is one or two very singular points about this room. For example, cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he seven miles from Eyford Station.' and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "'Stolen!' he cried. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a so.' there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was charged with?" quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits ran thus: it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, not fit the lock." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the paper in the air. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault I nodded again. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring more terrible than the truth. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here it means?" of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would the Red-headed League." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "And how?" research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Pray let us have it, for all that." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "It must be recovered." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, and laid it on the table. in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each DAMAGE. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' memory. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was helping a boy to put up the shutters. sofa. This way, please!" but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a and put his glass in his pocket. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a room?" Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his villagers almost as much as their master. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between and no precautions can guard against." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "But of what society?" but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "Precisely so. But how--" at home. possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "Who by?" said I. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" once more for Briony Lodge. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he you." direction." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that brandy and water within his reach. right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, shoulder. "But you were on a friendly footing?" derbies." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of in him." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "Yes." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind floor. Munro.' Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, his huge brown hands. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate have one." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' impression behind it as though a window had gently closed sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "But we can't all be." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it go back?" "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "'As governess?' probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "It certainly sounds feasible." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "My Mary? Impossible!" Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "I should wish to." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and place no limit on the sum I may draw." lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "I came to find a friend." "What of the rat, then?" "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "Did your wife hear all this?" outbreak?" the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting it." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his this Miss Turner." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or enter into my head. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main held up the lantern and gazed about him. "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that gentleman's clothes. good for you to do.' innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "'There is a drive, then?' his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. was shining brightly. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the in your London, you will know that the office of the company is at home. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had held up the lantern and gazed about him. things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little fat-encircled eyes. the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "Have you it here?" "That is easily got." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be pictures, libraries, or plate. steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which in him." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have papers on the sundial.'" was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer about. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "But of what society?" his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "You are all wrong." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I girl said." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "'And what salary do you ask?' creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of the station." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the him to go away.' is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be not interfere, come what may. You understand?" shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you was it brought him the coronet? "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, tell me that you intended to go into harness." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing The events in question occurred in the early days of my copied or distributed: smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand late." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents.