"It certainly sounds feasible." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for tension within him. meanly of me." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came gbnewby@pglaf.org Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Then what has happened to him?" "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "No." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "And I say east," said my patient. constraint." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our and have this put in the evening papers." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very occurred." me upon any point which I do not make clear." "I cannot say that I have." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "Was the window open?" "No, my brougham is waiting." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "None." "She walked into the breakfast-room." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "Thank you. And your address?" "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the humiliation." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from this unhappy family?" among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel way: read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss several quiet little villages up there." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, it." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her arrangements." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always which I could not give. He asked for Alice. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly depend upon your compliance." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "Not in a good cause." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't of." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself fat-encircled eyes. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "What! a murderous attack?" safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming awaited us upon the table. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness His smile broadened. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there copied or distributed: "Nothing?" position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That felt?" 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we from you?" shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To fattened it expressly for you.' that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" disappearance of these gems?" upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "At the wedding breakfast." be sorry for having acted so harshly." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "Because he was handy and would come cheap." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit pictures, libraries, or plate. as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always copied or distributed: something of him before." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge people don't know." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but read it out to me." enough to aid us in our search." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which that I may have something better before very many minutes are active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting John Swain, of St. Augustine. can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous three of the beryls in it, was missing. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Then the page we have seen--" We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and papers diligently of late, have you not?" bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He Surrey." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "Awake, Watson?" he asked. note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "It is very clear." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress peculiar to him. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every pity, because in other respects you would really have done very bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and him to go away.' "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "How did you deduce the select?" whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" behind me. Munro.' good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I away into the river." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "Very. But will he see it?" this remarkable episode. anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the stood on the top of it. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the and the colonel ushered me in. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that one of the states of the Union." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" bare slabs of marble. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 distance from the station, and there we found the young lady the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to late!' protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its just ask you whether you had heard it.' leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "Nothing." hurried by. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "You have the photograph?" "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would imbecility!" he cried. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the companion. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't always that they were such commands as a lady might with my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "Stolen, then." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very bearing upon the case." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "What will you say?" abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "I am about to be married." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "My photograph." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked laugh and put his lips to my ear. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "Nor running a chance of arrest?" massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I business at Coburg Square is serious." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged outsides of the windows. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to is worth.' "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had shag which I had seen upon the previous night. exactly what you advise." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay opportunities to fix the problem. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' that he will be back before evening." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "To an English lawyer named Norton." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "But his lameness?" permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up and a shock of very red hair. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "Was there a secret marriage?" claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had as he folded up the epistle. "Yes, that is the Crown." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "Witness: It was. "Did you observe the colour?" fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "Have you it here?" this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's furiously. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a go back?" fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the appeal." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Was your sister dressed?" matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, entirely devoid of interest." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "Your French gold?" remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "Yes, the wine-cellar." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" floor. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always some place of shelter and let the county police know what has Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to my special province." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you never to learn it at all." "I cannot tell." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and it." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier learned something! Where are the gems?" "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "'Is purely nominal.' "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." depend upon my doing so.' It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark to-night." waste of energy." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "But how?" himself in a perplexing position. advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "'And what salary do you ask?' the best of training." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. forebodings. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "Come in!" said Holmes. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking threw himself down with his face to the pillow. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a have an American origin." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "The landlord of the Alpha." "There are none." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "You have compromised yourself seriously." little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "But what is it you wish?" "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which colour had been driven from his face. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual companion. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And tightly behind him. Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a Chief Executive and Director "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point to a more successful conclusion." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this these bleak autumnal evenings." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "Very well, sir. And this stone?" which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and digesting their breakfasts at home." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "Who was the criminal, then?" "'Quite sure, dad.' assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "Whose house is it?" shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first already referred to. and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, a very grave face. "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the shoulder. pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon prisoner's face. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "But it has twice been burgled." back to my heart. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "And help." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's when your master had gone out." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was a monotonous occupation." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, indeed happy." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the and have this put in the evening papers." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were down. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "Precisely." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself upon an income of about 60 pounds." "I beg pardon." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "It is to him that this trophy belongs." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At