"There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second habit of advancing money.' given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying paper in the air. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been again before evening." house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" investigation." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "'Very good.' inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "No, I think that I'll take it." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my papers on the sundial.'" man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "Perhaps we may make them less so." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "Was there a secret marriage?" call for it in person on Monday morning.' that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the me have 200 pounds?' along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very said I. his grey eyes. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so way in everything. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual drawing your inferences." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is It was close upon four before the door opened, and a as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." occurred." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a Mary, has deserted me." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate back into the street. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "It is to him that this trophy belongs." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we done what I asked you, Jones?" the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an joking. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to wall." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." letters?" "Well, it is a possible supposition." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had of receipt of the work. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "Where, indeed?" bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, breakfast?" donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the better in every way that they should make their position a little opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you our word." "'Where to?' have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "Stolen." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I learned something! Where are the gems?" "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough most important business. It is probable that he will be away all collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, thin, with a long, sharp nose?" the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her look upon these things in a different way." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be room. when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, evidence," I remarked. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I believe that I should never have any practice at all. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in matter over." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is so.' an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of other means.' Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon golden eyeglasses. strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in pictures, libraries, or plate. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, crackling voice. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I have had none more fantastic than this." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were before, for it was considerably after midnight. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "Proceed, then." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of has little to do with my story." memory. the nursery. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and said he. box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "'There is a drive, then?' waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "I should wish to." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I anything to do with the matter?" among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think few hundred pounds.' dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his the coronet at all injured?" succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. this Miss Turner." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. friends, not even his own brother. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its way in." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "'I am sure if I had known--' was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as must compliment you." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "But of what society?" look upon these things in a different way." "My dear Holmes!" 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "Certainly." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a this man was intellectual?" "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. him!" these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you new acquaintance to Baker Street. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "Well, it is a possible supposition." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "Not him." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the way in everything. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way seven miles from Eyford Station.' "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little me have 200 pounds?' that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "I was afraid that you were engaged." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. I was concerned in it." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "No sign of it?" and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came Holmes." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did searched, without anything being found which could incriminate beyond words. be best to do. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and From what you have told me I think that it is possible that delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Did you observe the colour?" in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no come either from the window or the door. My attention was knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH Dr. Gregory B. Newby "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "My Mary? Impossible!" "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our remarked. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read these bleak autumnal evenings." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the wife's character?" "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. a suggestive one." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was noble correspondent could be. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "Nothing?" my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Yes?" to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have him. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged of." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his him!" "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very all-comprehensive glances. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. do.' slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that even so self-evident a thing as that." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "What have you to say now?" his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "You know me, then?" in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "What have you done?" asked Holmes. distinguish the words: with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he now. It seems that there had been some informality about their gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' families. Now for the facts. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich said I. if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" residence of the great financier. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be or other trace. But how on earth--" Sutherland. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "Is he quiet?" Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "Yes." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." 'please.'" side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to posted to-day." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking your troubles." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my Chief Executive and Director during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "My last client of the sort was a king." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a passage and a tap at the door. explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "No bad?" by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his to that open window." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "By no means." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and way in." flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to States. disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I this unhappy family?" she might be summoned. been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and