thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded again before evening." a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, legal crime." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a I nodded again. cup of tea. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." depend upon my doing so.' strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a the window, rose as we entered. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of together. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and the room while you explain this matter?" of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, companion imperturbably. foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "I saw her in conversation with her maid." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "'You doubt its value?' he asked. attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards success. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "BALLARAT." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining even of instruction." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked his grey eyes. details." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, society." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would you." "In the cells." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "'Not at all. I only doubt--' we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found it with his own hands." "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "Oh, the cause is excellent!" that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. garden below. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. touch that coronet?' door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and my secret was safe in his possession. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank had a long day." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "Who was the criminal, then?" think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place the matter." "Then the page we have seen--" as he folded up the epistle. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "And why?" previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful figure." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "And I say east," said my patient. friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began to Leatherhead. "'Stolen!' he cried. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, The police have openly confessed that they can at present make low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham power." what is your own theory as to what took place?" either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "What can it mean?" I gasped. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. business?" practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in already been minutely examined." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and behind me. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, events, Mr. Windibank!" said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so families. Now for the facts. "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in It was close upon four before the door opened, and a huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing Holmes' thin, eager face. "Nothing?" hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a name is different." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "We must sit without light. He would see it through the slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the tell me that you intended to go into harness." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable works. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to of the way of danger. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, least a fellow-countryman. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't drove away. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his passage and a tap at the door. "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "A call for help, you thought?" finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "The vanishing of the lady." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond me." "No, I think that I'll take it." them, and came down just as you departed. bill, which interests me deeply." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "Of what day?" tied." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies the warnings." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "Very truly yours, "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." soul! here is her carriage at the door." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "You'll never persuade me to believe that." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "'Where to?' that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk details." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to get the tickets." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "No, I am descending." neither fascinating nor artistic." you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "On your arm?" apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is had picked up in the wood. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not something of him before." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy results." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." clanging. "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his God! What an exposure! What can I do?" Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away again before evening." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "I should wish to." "That is it on the dressing-table." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an front of me. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client in the hope of finding them." "Then I shall certainly come." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "'No, I know no one in these parts.' life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have may have an influence upon European history." note?" question you as to those details which seem to me to be most isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, helping a boy to put up the shutters. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "BALLARAT." which was all perfectly true. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "Quite so." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "No, I had a dozen." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking fear." we went to search for him, face downward in a little "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name written. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "'Certainly not. But why?' charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "Yes." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, From what you have told me I think that it is possible that astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. him and tried to hold him back. "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "No, but the enclosure is." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a for the market.' my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "And it is--" from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "Ah!" "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common all-comprehensive glances. like that before?" I shall continue with my miserable story. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "Witness: It was. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the was already answered. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as present." "'Certainly not. But why?' happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is the Friday. Was it to be in church?" evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided out." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank of campaign. "Never." "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." I approached. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly hour." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "It is a murder, then?" feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, may never be exposed to such a temptation." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic