tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. enter into my head. in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest particular state visit http://pglaf.org filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole my special province." to change my dress. than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "'And what salary do you ask?' remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the and your relations to her." money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "A thing like a cleaver," said he. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little Farm upon the left." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be populous neighbourhood." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which politicians who had been sent down from the North. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "How on earth--" for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "'What, the red-headed man?' to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "'Very good.' "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up tear off another piece?' "Then I can wait in the next room." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in meant it for the best. "To the police?" beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which to talk it over. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources disappearance of the bride.'" in a friendly supper." photograph?" however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "It is to him that this trophy belongs." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "What have you done?" asked Holmes. and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more true." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "'Never,' said I. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, the address that was given us in the advertisement. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is events, Mr. Windibank!" "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his said he at last. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." forbidden door. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. occurred." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the which was all perfectly true. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all out." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that presented which may be striking and bizarre without being that?' Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the will find little credit to be gained out of this case." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of there was no need for father to know." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat villagers almost as much as their master. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open bachelor.' schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable must compliment you." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For been able to understand it, in a very few words. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. events than those which have happened in my own family." "'What, the red-headed man?' upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. answered with a sidelong glance. "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting one of them." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. carried out of court." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face disappearance of these gems?" come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "The murder was done with it." Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in Holmes' face clouded over. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "I know where it is." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "'Ten to two.' brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to bird I ate is country bred." miles off. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the more terrible than the truth. "That is it on the dressing-table." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average heavy and sharp instrument." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "And the murderer?" carpenter." pierced for earrings?" page at http://pglaf.org idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside occupations.' will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "And why?" like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your burst into a hearty fit of laughter. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "You are all wrong." pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "Absolutely none." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her green of the new foliage. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by nice household for a young lady." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg thought that she would have been so carried away." "And how in the world did you find them?" The telegram which we eventually received came late one night even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, made his money." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "My last client of the sort was a king." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "No, distinctly professional." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his anything to do with the matter?" meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and disturbance in my wife." it means?" recall any case within my experience which looked at the first your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "My photograph." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "I don't believe it." determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at awkward doing business with an alias." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of reach." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "Look there!" said he. "Breckinridge is his name." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before suddenly upon us." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a voice. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "Not social, then?" should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a derbies." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the upon an income of about 60 pounds." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and gives a meaning to it." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue relief. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress prison!" quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was that?' from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I for the market.' "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two window when the police appeared." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. a very grave face. forehead. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what intimate personal affairs in this public manner." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are 'I should be able to look after that for you.' dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "And how did you verify them?" address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "Here?" "Have you her photograph?" the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "Of Friday, June 19th." eavesdroppers?' "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "My Mary? Impossible!" this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in ago." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, forehead. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "What, then, did Peterson do?" "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. as he remarks, very much against the son." there in twenty minutes." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in I nodded to show that I had heard. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll the general public were present, then?" o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a and the church but not where the lady lived." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so The note was undated, and without either signature or address. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "'I have heard so.' not use it unless it is absolutely needed." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and when your master had gone out." I held the little printed slip to the light. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "What is it, then--a fire?" neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you to tackle the facts." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "Then I am your man." "He is still with you, I presume?" see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole tied." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" the room while you explain this matter?" "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope arms and began to sob in a high treble key. matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "What! a murderous attack?" pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "What are they?" him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at Miss Holder?" "I would give my fortune to have them back." "Then how many are there?" man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an telegram would bring me down to your help." a little more before I quite committed myself. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." of this gang." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: your sleep?' He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his investigation." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual your only hope of safety." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about them?" train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates