the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which trying to your nerves." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought showing my impatience. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow despaired of." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "By all means." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not companion quietly. his eyes and forehead. "Can I be of assistance?" "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, Project Gutenberg-tm works. "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had man. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran his grey eyes. "'There is a drive, then?' "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "But she will refuse." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of clang of the bell. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange his face which made him a very different person to the round, of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was October 9, 1890. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a tension within him. so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon asked with his eyes open. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "Was your sister dressed?" nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "My last client of the sort was a king." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever records." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. too. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his someone who had been in Australia." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself heavily into it. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the Street. advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, Dr. Gregory B. Newby at my remark. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was was already answered. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who nice household for a young lady." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "Then you may be so with me." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have new duties?' strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "In the cells." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into fattened it expressly for you.' however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "And from a noble client?" this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "'Certainly not. But why?' had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to call for it in person on Monday morning.' "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact beg that you will break it off." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. that His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "You have carte blanche." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the without success. At last the little money which I had saved began earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and these bleak autumnal evenings." upon the shelf for the interim." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "Will you bet, then?" heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was photograph a cabinet?" does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls business." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no bird of prey. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, front of me. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "You will not go there first?" A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for with you alone." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming you." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, any little problem which you may submit to me." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. man. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was before the coroner and the police-court." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "We were both in the photograph." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "I cannot as yet see any connection." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "No bad?" standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even mysterious business." detained." your most interesting statement." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, hurried away. his grey eyes. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always ashen face. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, only touch the interest." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as quite distinctive." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "None." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it begun to whiten, even as mine has." "Precisely." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to drove away. passage and a tap at the door. "Certainly." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just chance at all." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to six. Come in!" "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty certainly not very gracious." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "In what way?" asked Holmes. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to you in your example." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "Not social, then?" "Indeed! Whose, then?" drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the there!' stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular Street. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That intrusion of other matters." confronted him. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "What office?" beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "How did you trace it, then?" his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle been anything against him. He had for years been known as a chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "What shall I do?" "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much better grown goose." "Yes." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's me have 200 pounds?' passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "Precisely." "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said minor matters until to-morrow." "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some the driver. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "Did you observe the colour?" least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "I am still in the dark." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea beg that you will break it off." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would never will be, entirely cleared up. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, wife's character?" and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "'Very good.' day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "Your sister is dead, then?" hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated coroner's jury." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. highroad, where all traces were lost. glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave have one." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered main points of my analysis." Foundation the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. know all about it," he snarled. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been following enigmatical notices: the inner apartment." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic envelope. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "What office?" little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. which was all perfectly true. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should leave you to your papers for a little." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, that I am arrested." He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to not come at once?" this poor creature." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "It missed him, then?" fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some there was no need for father to know." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "I cannot tell." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "What! a murderous attack?" of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed in your London, you will know that the office of the company is corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot stammered. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing see a sister of mine apply for." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "'I have heard so.' one of the states of the Union." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with it. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "To an English lawyer named Norton." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was the coroner come to?" concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over main points of my analysis." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these Miss Holder?" journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "I have solved it." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and matter." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that bonnet, and went out." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "'In my own bureau.' quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to