insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to mystery." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "That is easily got." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy newspaper selections." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "That's no good." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to she to prove their authenticity?" thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "That was it, sir." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge head. So long, then!" "And now?" I asked. they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece and no precautions can guard against." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet been lifted and conveyed somewhere." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "Yes." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" bill, which interests me deeply." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "'Yes, I promise.' "That you are never beaten." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, followed. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "To ruin me." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the should be so warm over such a trifle." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson begin with, and I had not got mine yet." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. throat." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "Won't it ring?" future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and ways including including checks, online payments and credit card my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a even of instruction." "Just look it up, then." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me placed his cuttings. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "He is dead," cried several voices. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, From what you have told me I think that it is possible that fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "Never to return." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It at once, for I have only half an hour." stammered. out of this horrible affair." I was concerned in it." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. chance at all." "One?" practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many made his money." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that said he, "my real name is James Ryder." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of thought that she would have been so carried away." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The singular points about the case. What did the police think of the shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I corner of the building. indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his it were putty." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. him, that man would not have given me such complete information a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, voice. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. any." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just waste of energy." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it posted to-day." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "The rest you will leave in our hands." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "Yes, from Horsham." single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the me where it went to?" the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and bachelor.' obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am been with you?" was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "I came to find a friend." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "I have solved it." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right country, and eventually married, without anyone having a 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "I beg pardon." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "What is it, then--a fire?" should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, lamp in his hand. here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little about. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "Always." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards she used." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "'And the work?' stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the Sutherland. Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "And Irene Adler?" he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is me have 200 pounds?' signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, in the hope of finding them." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." in a friendly supper." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See for the market.' possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the public press." place of silver." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into keep the flames under. "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." have an American origin." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as down from London to inquire more deeply into it." during that time.' you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine anything to do with the matter?" ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "My last client of the sort was a king." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing like gravel from a pit.' feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "How did that help you?" and prosperity to your house. Good-night." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said that I am arrested." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." for and were ordered to this address. signal between you and your father? in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, away in different directions, and I went off to make my own matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached developed." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Murdered?" gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." your co-operation." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his them, and came down just as you departed. When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." of Mr. Rucastle's." whether it answered to the description of any of their "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason of receipt of the work. himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after should be taken.' "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "But we can't all be." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." out of this horrible affair." "Dark enough and sinister enough." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of touch that coronet?' possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom of the way of danger. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the me upon any point which I do not make clear." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "But you would not advise me to refuse?" breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "Yes." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of my former friend and companion. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of see me here to avoid scandal." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then Holmes' thin, eager face. quick march!" Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of fled together." "I have my revolver," said I. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts yards of it?' "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed appointment with me for six o'clock?" "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" this remarkable episode. highroad, where all traces were lost. "Nothing?" importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. fasten all the windows?" Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "What are they?" "Not him." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. careless servant girl?" work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. crime. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "No bad?" with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "There is the writing." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his Pope's Court. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "She showed me, as I told you she would." once more to my work. "But not more so than I to find you." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "In the cells." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who in. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has hour?' gbnewby@pglaf.org way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but as he folded up the epistle. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was side. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the there has been an enclosure here!" and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary interested in these little problems, and since you are good the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age God! What an exposure! What can I do?" got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow