of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you Sholtos." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come be best to do. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "Now, then, what's the last entry?" watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your outside." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend Sutherland?" money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the carpenter." "Nothing?" We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you formed some opinion?" it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between directly by questioning you." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front narrative." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "And it is--" as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If vault. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she there were so many in the whole country as were brought together question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a most important business. It is probable that he will be away all on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked and your relations to her." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son away in different directions, and I went off to make my own delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I The note was undated, and without either signature or address. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" direction." over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "Then I can wait in the next room." night.' said he. as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "Was she in good spirits?" tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." newspaper selections." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "At the wedding breakfast." "Pray do so." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "Is he quiet?" near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the went to the Alpha were town bred." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a case before our client came into the room." notes," he said. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "And did you observe any change in her then?" you give your casting vote to?" fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "It came here." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating approach us with offers to donate. "My opinion is in no way altered." shoulder; "he's all right." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he really the only notable feature about the thing." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "I should be immensely obliged to you." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking crackling voice. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "One?" as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "'What then?' I asked. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction it. and the whole place is in a blaze." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the the window, rose as we entered. "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "What have you to say now?" Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out father's place of business?" has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "There are none." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to that I am arrested." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' the King without delay." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and once more. "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry the coronet in his hand?" "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "Then, as to money?" although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "And the murderer?" constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with your room." Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. present." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a colonel looking down at me. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the the house with me." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall works. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out been shamefully used." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to you for a few hours?" "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists astonishment. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or late." when your master had gone out." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it night.' said he. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "And what then?" bachelor.' which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, matter over." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are status with the IRS. criminal. We have already had experience of such." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had that there was nothing in it, after all." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on it were putty." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the possible that we could bring him back to her? case before our client came into the room." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "To the police?" "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got secret." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" outsides of the windows. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. not fit the lock." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "It is very clear." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and and put his glass in his pocket. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in Chief Executive and Director "And how?" my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to pound a week." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "What?" "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has Foundation came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business drawing your inferences." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. ashen face. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 arrangements." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting use an arc-and-compass breastpin." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand salesman. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." begun to whiten, even as mine has." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "When did she vanish, then?" "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to danger is over." everything which you would wish to know." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a records." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "We must have a cab." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well generous with you in money matters.' its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "Texas, I think." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional fashion which was peculiar to him. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had were wasted." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do formed some opinion?" "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." know what is wrong with it.' As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "'In my own bureau.' the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my since then to throw any light upon what became of him." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "But not more so than I to find you." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "Then you may entirely rely on me." unprofitable." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "What I expected to see." He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to extraordinary contortions. upon the sideboard." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "What is it, then--a fire?" was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips never came back." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings village inn over there?" She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "'And what salary do you ask?' keep the flames under. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "You have carte blanche." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered points in connection with it which never have been, and probably police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in this truth that in these little records of our cases which you disappearance of the bride.'" effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all it." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally when you have done it." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it at once, for I have only half an hour." "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." when your master had gone out." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was DAMAGE. sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "The Cedars?" "What have you done?" asked Holmes. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon along the entire front of the house, with three long windows preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all wedding?" supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day less than 26s. 4d. my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly make me his representative both with the servants and with the sake, don't!" his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to front of the hall door has given its name to the place. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "Your presence might be invaluable." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another you?" detective. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I hair?' days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to your sleep?' questioning and rather startled gaze. "One of his hands." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the Where does the thing come from?' "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, to-night's adventure." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, she to prove their authenticity?" "'As governess?' 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very pity, because in other respects you would really have done very the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "But what is it you wish?" Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "One of the highest in England." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way opened a pocket-book and took out a note. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon taking in every detail of the apartment. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the outside. her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "No. What a strange idea!" hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "Ten will be early enough." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "What are they?" paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance the child."