that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Yesterday." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am people in all walks of life. "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "You have carte blanche." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true ago." I nodded again. "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of maiden herself was most instructive." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had not, dad?" she asked. "Do you go out much in society?" "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were them, and came down just as you departed. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond writer." the stones. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "I am sure." highly," said Holmes. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." I shall continue with my miserable story. I took the paper from him and read as follows: perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed rose-bushes. put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut Munro.' hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "I cannot say that I have." passage and a tap at the door. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "No, but the enclosure is." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a would then never go into court at all." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the it." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow where Mr. Fordham shows you.' from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on room had already been engaged for us. not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "In San Francisco, a year ago." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly the Assizes." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took entirely devoid of interest." "On your arm?" "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" populous neighbourhood." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you never to learn it at all." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. orange pips. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, when your master had gone out." better in every way that they should make their position a little league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, them?" "Was there a secret marriage?" satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without Clair, of Lee." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to I have it here in my museum." presented more singular features than that which was associated breakfast?" The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in distance from the station, and there we found the young lady named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "'Very good.' demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how crowd. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a do.' "Not him." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a better grown goose." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that trifles." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "Could he throw no light?" them?" looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were what these perils are?" "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just and all of them with the keenest interest. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." forecastle of an emigrant ship. "And why in hopes?" "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his window when the police appeared." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was more terrible than the truth. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with Sutherland?" mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "'Yes.' or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally through." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was was it brought him the coronet? would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this the best of training." strange features which were associated with the two crimes which fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "That's no good." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the drawing your inferences." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly really the only notable feature about the thing." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, one or two very singular points about this room. For example, me what he had done with the three missing stones. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too bonnet, and went out." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "To an English lawyer named Norton." "But I am all in the dark." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. of this gang." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" this as likely?" "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day to have that photograph." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day in your London, you will know that the office of the company is with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? figure." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close in this note: instincts rose up against that laugh. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "Yes, all." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second felt the room to be a little close.' Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a hair?' sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and like that before?" distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" strength in the others." following enigmatical notices: McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "Was your sister dressed?" it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. writers could invent nothing more crude." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who pressing in one house as in another. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the bachelor.' you." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if three fields round his house, and there he would take his "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your light and attacked it." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he examination of the premises, but without finding anything which appointment with me for six o'clock?" saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "Pray continue your narrative." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest that you wished to speak to me?' who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "But what will you do?" "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined examine." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a cheerful." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "How many? I don't know." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to and a shock of very red hair. "When did she vanish, then?" quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would point our research must commence, and we will begin it by erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the outsides of the windows. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about allusion to a rat. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "At half-wages, in fact." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "Tired-looking or fresh?" "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "I fear not." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a locked. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door 1.E.9. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right fasten all the windows?" his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. morning." been deceived." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "To ruin me." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. woman." "How did he come?" My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most investigation." electronic works the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the galvanised. me. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before chance at all." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "Married! When?" "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for The summons was a brief and urgent one. paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own not use it unless it is absolutely needed." here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should even so self-evident a thing as that." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell business in the City. She little knew what. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a security.' vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. page at http://pglaf.org incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as impression behind it as though a window had gently closed know what is wrong with it.' you for a few hours?" The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the once more to my work. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "Why, what do you mean?" About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "None." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Holmes, the busybody!" firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "And Miss Sutherland?" borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; at a side door. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "I am following you closely," I answered. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to Heh?' hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a with some details as to your case." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder.