"It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "When did she vanish, then?" and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my bonnet, and went out." several quiet little villages up there." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters 1.F. eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible the driver. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "'I am sure if I had known--' that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I was a lad." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot the stable lane now." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." at home. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the Eyford at 11:15.' flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "Certainly, madam." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "I assure you that I am in your hands." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, cigar and let me expound." not, dad?" she asked. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "'Why that?' I asks. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was character. as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This investigation." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his empty. "Imitated." side. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful of it with the greatest attention. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "Nothing?" just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "'What, the red-headed man?' "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "'What do you call purely nominal?' of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "By no means." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard to where he stood hid behind the curtain. was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "You think that he is dead?" "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty good-night and bustled off upon her way. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the Gutenberg-tm License. "We must have a cab." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are touch that coronet?' that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT highly," said Holmes. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "When did it break out?" made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "And Irene Adler?" keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than at a side door. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One did not hear it also.' week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, think that he is innocent?" can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "Dr. Becher's." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the directors have had misgivings upon the subject." tightly behind him. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out forbidden door. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. sit on the left-hand side of the driver." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the hurried by. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are putting in the horse. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of more solid." works. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "How did he come?" "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "I do." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly the child." "But who is he?" most interesting one." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "On the contrary, this is the right side." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the to-night?' understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, house for five minutes.' really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the his eyes and forehead. "Dark enough and sinister enough." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most national property. I was determined that the law should have its shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are father's young wife. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited to take care of herself." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin triumphant cloud from his cigarette. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, should be so warm over such a trifle." I shall communicate with you." newspaper selections." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some the driver. so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "And I." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of at home. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem rose-bushes. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." was it brought him the coronet? "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "I cannot think." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "If I can be of use." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves call it cruel." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story key of the affair now." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who go back?" and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "'Yes, sir.' pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to help us in this matter." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Murdered?" "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on the Assizes." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "You think that he is dead?" skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "You will not go there first?" floor. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He note?" that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been true." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow like gravel from a pit.' 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I jewels which you have stolen?' meant it for the best. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: down in his armchair and closing his eyes. results." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that in this way: "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "And you can do nothing until then?" look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in child?' Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the his cane at the bell-pull. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "Yes." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Of what?" points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to are, I think, all that we need." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "Yes." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of investigation." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "Nothing?" fishes. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "And how have you succeeded?" of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is him and tried to hold him back. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the guilty parties." "Yes, he did." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and things are very often connected not with the larger but with the offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions to affect your life." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San you for a few hours?" him. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked second." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my a room. "Yes." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be exactly what you advise." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a more terrible than the truth. "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he States. yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "What shall I do?" matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside which our visitor detailed to us. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "My last client of the sort was a king." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "And Miss Sutherland?" 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. disappearance of the bride.'" the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg overpowering excitement and concern. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and in a friendly supper." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman question," said Holmes, smiling. returned to France?" pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "Here?" "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "The Cedars?" enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "Certainly." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' on re-entering her father's house?" postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the danger is over." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with not within a twentieth part of the market price." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "No bad?" whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as business at Coburg Square is serious." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have will take you up to see the machine.' hour?' "But you would not advise me to refuse?" black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his is now desirous of getting those letters back." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There a few minutes he said that it would be all right. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers keep the flames under. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do over with notes and figures. incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before felt the room to be a little close.' shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "But I am all in the dark." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. will not take me long to tell. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty your own bird, so if you wish--" wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that soul! here is her carriage at the door." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "I am following you closely," I answered. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be during the last few years, and there are many noble families to into the room. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "Witness: It was. strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He chemical work which was so dear to him. "'I have heard so.' valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A