there were one or two details which were new to me. But the pity, because in other respects you would really have done very research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, better grown goose." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "What of the rat, then?" "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so soul! here is her carriage at the door." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "And I." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "Yes, from Horsham." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "Who by?" back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over McCarthy's innocence. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me presume?" indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are hopeless attempt at recovering them." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. the driver. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." the stones. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The ill-usage at the hands of fortune. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had certainly do as you advise." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "That is possible." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "I saw her in conversation with her maid." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "It must be recovered." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "None." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out questionable one." too. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "The vanishing of the lady." cause to be." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "I will do it." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. your co-operation." there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in disturbance in my wife." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to may have an influence upon European history." dates and names. "A client, then?" signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "Pray continue your narrative." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a at my remark. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to October 9, 1890. like that before?" there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, forbidden door. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and hurried away. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "When did she vanish, then?" Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "What do you make of that, Watson?" opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "A call for help, you thought?" was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or which was all perfectly true. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "Witness: Nothing definite. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. indeed which he could not unravel. six. Come in!" galvanised. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "She will not sell." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." just ask you whether you had heard it.' and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the Literary Archive Foundation unclasping of his long thin hands. "I cannot say that I have." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has the inner apartment." heavy and sharp instrument." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "Well, but China?" put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure strength of mind to control. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of any more." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left works. See paragraph 1.E below. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "Get out!" said he. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "No legal papers or certificates?" "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as reach." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had chamber." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "Ah!" Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" for the market.' legal crime." "She showed me, as I told you she would." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not meanly of me." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our flock.' Henry Baker is a member." seen the man in the road." been able to understand it, in a very few words. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "Very much so." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties you in yours." "'It is locked up,' I answered. tell him that I know him to be innocent." is," said he presently: "It was a confession," I ejaculated. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "Then I am your man." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to front of the hall door has given its name to the place. leave you to your papers for a little." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "Yes, I have one waiting." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington will take you up to see the machine.' been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "On your arm?" rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no you." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. she might be summoned. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "Never." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. to you." amused." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of it." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. grasp, he hurried from the room. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "Bought." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the have an American origin." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. the driver. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her himself to hunt down. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from conduct the inquiry." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked and effective." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see to a more successful conclusion." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I was it brought him the coronet? served to weaken the effect. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to union?" his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "What will you say?" including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "Then, as to money?" seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "'Yes, I promise.' it." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "Yes." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "You forget that I know nothing about it." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage characteristics, but those are the more obvious." 1.F. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "But we can't all be." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average she slowly sank and died without having recovered her gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in not fit the lock." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "The landlord of the Alpha." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to bachelor.' he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "Pray let us have it, for all that." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "Where, then?" when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the this poor creature." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "My own seal." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." away to you." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to what is your own theory as to what took place?" and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? it. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where in this way: lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "Very. But will he see it?" over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she morning." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her retorted upon me, and I on you." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "Entirely." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & considering the formidable letters which were received by himself matter." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' and inquire as to the address." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have States. "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "Murdered?" was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my the matter?" our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found nights." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg troubles have been weighing upon his mind. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "And that is--" "Your presence might be invaluable." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "Do you know him?" or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "Yes. He waved his hands." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of crime." always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "I fear not." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. unclasping of his long thin hands. said he at last. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or side. cup of tea. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There you in your example." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "Quite so." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine handed it to him. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but frequently gained my first real insight into the character of chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' money should be paid at once.' "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort constraint." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "And you don't know his address?" with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the During two years I have had three consultations and one small "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "And from a noble client?" the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "You heard nothing yourself last night?" three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. sufficient punishment." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of forecastle of an emigrant ship. "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it