continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal see a sister of mine apply for." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom there is a decided draught." about. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and once more for Briony Lodge. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the and looked back. Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "Yes." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice were wasted." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb made his money." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been in the port of London." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." public press." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "What will you do, then?" returned to France?" "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but back to my heart. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "We have tried and failed." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he not use it unless it is absolutely needed." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows spark where all is dark to me." it." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you four million human beings all jostling each other within the the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black http://www.gutenberg.net at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began tear off another piece?' "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "It is solved." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "But she will refuse." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "No?" is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own secret." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of Leadenhall Street--and--" the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over of the vacancies.' inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the the tragedy. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an himself in a perplexing position. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "'Yes, it was gone.' tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in only touch the interest." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "He might." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "I shall be delighted." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary business came to an end." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "What do you make of that, Watson?" ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant companion quietly. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon cigar and let me expound." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, in a friendly supper." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." his face which made him a very different person to the round, look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "Pray be precise as to details," said he. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not clang of the bell. drove away. knowledge of the world." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple more solid." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "I am about to be married." II. nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting and glanced through. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "Nothing." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "No, finished." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Quite so." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way like that before?" he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her paper in the air. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly third from London." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "On Monday." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried said Mr. Holder. Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" companion. advice." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "The doctor?" from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "10th. John Swain cleared. think that he is innocent?" and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. it. even so self-evident a thing as that." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much newspaper selections." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "On your arm?" "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "You have the photograph?" it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." writer." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out confronted him. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and other, as fresh and trim as possible. looking up at the numbers of the houses." "Where, then, is my wife?" have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you Edgeware Road. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "The Coroner: What do you mean? "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very without success. At last the little money which I had saved began have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker It was close upon four before the door opened, and a Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." advice." noble correspondent could be. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper himself to tell his story. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "Certainly." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his coat-tails." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to remarked. know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. look dissatisfied." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "I cannot say that I have." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no when you have done it." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "One?" It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them have had none more fantastic than this." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the developed." "But she could not love him." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. 'please.'" first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, your own bird, so if you wish--" massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who which our visitor detailed to us. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small promised to bring home. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' recover the gem." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. mystery." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital in his hands." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "Get out!" said he. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "It is half-past ten now." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' the one as in the other." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and back alive. society." think you a quite exceptional woman." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, The note was undated, and without either signature or address. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up ceremony." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "In what way?" asked Holmes. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "Not in the least." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be companion. "You think so, too?" "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest in his power. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously would apply.' my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a Cross for the Continent." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt Sutherland?" "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "Yes." "I don't say that. Perhaps." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. putting in the horse. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather out of this horrible affair." to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a business." "And what did you see?" for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, thirty. doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not your only hope of safety." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again seem to you to be relevant or not." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, DISSOLVED. work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any vague figure huddled up in the darkness. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "Will you go?" borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "To ruin me." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. have one." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged in my life." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able away in different directions, and I went off to make my own might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "'Where could I find him?' down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "I will, Miss Turner." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. me have 200 pounds?' the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high Holmes." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the empty. business." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's Foundation stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a