face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the this remarkable episode. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a fled together." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "Stolen." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything Where does the thing come from?' him to go away.' ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable shall not find me ungrateful." Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "It is very kind of you." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a his eyes and forehead. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "I never have." "No, I am descending." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Can I be of assistance?" prove to be little relation between the different incidents of Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it followed. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "I do." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, placed his cuttings. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm chill to my heart. to tackle the facts." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to leaning back in his chair. back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty then?" the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either companion quietly. save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "Precisely." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "Well, but China?" "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE not come at once?" have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, open." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing will find little credit to be gained out of this case." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no Cross for the Continent." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you seen the man in the road." "'I have already given you my word.' Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with formed some opinion?" Dr. Gregory B. Newby present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "I assure you that I am in your hands." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "9th. McCauley cleared. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an straighten it?" some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "This photograph!" as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable http://gutenberg.net/license). "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the leaning back in his chair. luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "I saw her in conversation with her maid." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 matter." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "Game for a morning drive?" "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Was there a secret marriage?" said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "Which are?" a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "I have my revolver," said I. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "He said that you could solve anything." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason 11:15.' and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he even of instruction." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "That is possible." despair." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and enter Dr. Roylott's room." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "I see no marks." suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "Your sister is dead, then?" as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering the night.' weapon." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." taking in every detail of the apartment. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "I don't believe it." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads criminal. We have already had experience of such." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and may have an influence upon European history." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need situation." Holmes." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from that, and I came down." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the III. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded status with the IRS. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to presented which may be striking and bizarre without being we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "'It is locked up,' I answered. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by Street. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it think that any burglar could have done. when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' laugh and put his lips to my ear. ago." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Did your wife hear all this?" he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing undoubtedly my uncle's." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and of a light. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The plantation.' "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "Thank you. And your address?" for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "You are certainly joking, Holmes." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a Literary Archive Foundation 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally grasp, he hurried from the room. prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall been anything against him. He had for years been known as a friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could strong and stiff." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and leave you to your papers for a little." "Very truly yours, that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to shoulder; "he's all right." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "You think that he is dead?" But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always one or two very singular points about this room. For example, all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss desk. really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "Married! When?" are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. overpowering excitement and concern. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change some mystery and the punishment of some crime." was it brought him the coronet? "Yes, only one." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the digesting their breakfasts at home." annoyance, but no jest. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "I am still in the dark." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a to Leatherhead. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he the south-west, I see." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who the tragedy. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, village inn over there?" "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little had formerly been in part my own. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "She walked into the breakfast-room." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he I was concerned in it." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present Farm upon the left." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. emerged. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a desk. Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "Seven!" I answered. enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, copied or distributed: perplexity from it to my illustrious client. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary said he at last. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would lectures into a series of tales." forehead. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "None." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed indeed which he could not unravel. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy I think that I could be of assistance to you." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "Did you observe the colour?" Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through whereabouts. "An enemy?" here and I will read it to you: first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that into the bag, and made for the door. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "None." was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "It is a murder, then?" a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "Eh? What was that?" could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the I approached. and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the neither fascinating nor artistic." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and The events in question occurred in the early days of my As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, have one." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there Mrs. Toller serenely. eat it." already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." here." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, future lives." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond money should be paid at once.' "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow that I may have something better before very many minutes are the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Yes, it was twisted." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "In the cells." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking words came to my lips. "When did it break out?" McCarthy's innocence. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was horse could go." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn,