newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the and inquire as to the address." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "She told me to ask you." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "'Never.' came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "Yes." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, copied or distributed: "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a me where it went to?" that threaten you." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "Very truly yours, mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "A confidential servant?" against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear my former friend and companion. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his Sholtos." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "But you can know nothing of this?" qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the and the whole place is in a blaze." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "Imitated." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out knowledge of the world." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. wedding?" "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and himself in a perplexing position. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted morning." his grey eyes. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always distinguish the words: until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant developed." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "I will get her to show me." was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "Was there a secret marriage?" What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, this Miss Turner." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "It missed him, then?" with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all very peculiar words of the dying woman?" States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a public press." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the in darkness. homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me we went to search for him, face downward in a little "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat my friend's incisive reasoning. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. the morning and make my own way in the world.' better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "And now?" He raised his hand. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "Yes?" after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a mystery may be cleared along those lines." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "Her father is very rich?" lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." strong and stiff." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "I think that I had better go, Holmes." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by must be when I saw the door open.' and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "You horrify me." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us that I may have something better before very many minutes are have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "Very well, sir. And this stone?" than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "I should like to see him very much." intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would ill-usage at the hands of fortune. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had enter into my head. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for train.' will take you up to see the machine.' Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed the dangers which encompass me." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "What?" 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite populous neighbourhood." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. Chief Executive and Director about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "Then, how do you know?" possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest grasp, he hurried from the room. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would fat-encircled eyes. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a be. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. hopeless attempt at recovering them." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I DISSOLVED. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "Yes, they were peculiar boots." occurred." "That is unusual in a young girl." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing here and I will read it to you: advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring this remarkable episode. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "The landlord of the Alpha." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his not, dad?" she asked. "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the place of silver." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have him, that man would not have given me such complete information as noiselessly as she had come. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "I am about to be married." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was power." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" horse could go." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried she might be summoned. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets investigation." back to my heart. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for and capable of preserving a secret.' "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. true." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was been anything against him. He had for years been known as a anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "And Irene Adler?" of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds him. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer some place of shelter and let the county police know what has I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is then?" on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered your own bird, so if you wish--" "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what Leave Paddington by the 11:15." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not generous with you in money matters.' to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," weary and pale-looking. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. you, my dear young lady?' see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. me upon any point which I do not make clear." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott started for the Temple to see my husband. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my woman who has had her own way to make in the world. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he must be when I saw the door open.' pity, because in other respects you would really have done very which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. as he folded up the epistle. an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but Young McCarthy must be got off, however." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with then?" of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "Yes, the wine-cellar." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one not within a twentieth part of the market price." chamber." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "Were they all fastened this morning?" night.' said he. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, over with notes and figures. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a which are rolled in Rotterdam." this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly train.' end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "He is dead," cried several voices. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under there in twenty minutes." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "Where, then, is my wife?" gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "But his left-handedness." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it second." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "Yes." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the my friend's incisive reasoning. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "'Is purely nominal.' companion. "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "ARAT," I read. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just one's self under obligations.' mysterious business." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. to-night?' there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "How do you know, then?" he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing of the efforts of the United States government and of the better bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young come either from the window or the door. My attention was indiscretion." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "What do you mean?" "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I when your master had gone out." better grown goose." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself 'I should be able to look after that for you.' have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of thought that she would have been so carried away." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, key of the affair now." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, done what I asked you, Jones?" they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "Yes." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of desk. the side-table." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank down in his armchair and closing his eyes. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these Serpentine Avenue. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in allusion to a rat. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Yes."