every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." the bed, and you in that chair." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is at my remark. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called the station." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst as this. Pray let me have the details." "Yes?" description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the like that before?" "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "None." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these to some other building. all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the meant." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which advice." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. society." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue tied." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass eat it." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few developed." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a shall use the carriage to-night." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. look upon these things in a different way." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "We must have a cab." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never empty. comes from the middle window." little trying to do so much typewriting?" "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity rat could hardly pass through." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "The Coroner: What do you mean? "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes man. I know him from the photograph." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up so far?" to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it wedding?" The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said instituted." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being as this. Pray let me have the details." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his father's young wife. throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable one of them." affection." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my indeed happy." time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Married! When?" contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the presented which may be striking and bizarre without being hurried away. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant Literary Archive Foundation King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two few hundred pounds.' however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "Will you bet, then?" ready to-morrow?' morning." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "Dr. Becher's." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "But it has twice been burgled." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or photograph?" "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "How about poison?" lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On on in his house." "In the cells." "Ah!" "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the that you saw all that I did." just called myself is not exactly my own." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal suspect him." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "'A dozen yards or so.' wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "But to whom?" held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that London for the present?" put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a chair. Stoke Moran." see me here to avoid scandal." get her out of the way." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "On your arm?" heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "Frequently." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no ordinary clothes on?" "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have your co-operation." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "What of the rat, then?" my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must is so. I know all about McCarthy." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little the very letters. But what is this written above them?' which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed help us in this matter." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching green of the new foliage. the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "Not in the least." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic already been minutely examined." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Nearly eleven." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a you came in." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. entirely lost his self-respect." at a side door. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the and no precautions can guard against." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "Then the page we have seen--" Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy floor. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always security.' footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other assist you in forming an opinion." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "But she will refuse." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a to where he stood hid behind the curtain. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without breakfast." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "What, then, did Peterson do?" soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently to a more successful conclusion." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive strength of mind to control. "It is very clear." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "Have you her photograph?" least a fellow-countryman. "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Then, how do you know?" he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Perfectly so." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court had no one to advise her at such a crisis." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "Why? What do you mean?" one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were the devil!" sparkled upon his finger. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite Literary Archive Foundation that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "Then the page we have seen--" and the colonel ushered me in. to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known definite end. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it detective. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such than to us. into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a you want, then?' equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name case-book, which he consulted. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of manager. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "That sounds a little paradoxical." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "What are they?" give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "And how did you find out?" for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and be.' meanly of me." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are congenial hunt. been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are Watson," he said cordially. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and it." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began room?" in his hands." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which in one or two places in England?' one's self under obligations.' to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you way in." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at may never be exposed to such a temptation." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked during the last few years, and there are many noble families to have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had security.' he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first three fields round his house, and there he would take his as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking exactly what you advise." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "'Certainly,' I answered. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman Watson," he said cordially. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her third from London." calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their and wait." front of me. them?" "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, feature." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land bird of prey. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of had this final quarrel? believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it young Openshaw's." play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of one of the states of the Union." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a fashion which was peculiar to him. chair. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "No, I am descending." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "And why?" horse could go." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very highroad, where all traces were lost. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 empty. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our present." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "I shall be delighted." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, congenial hunt. is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "A confidential servant?" "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive article?" Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my house for five minutes.' "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "An enemy?" been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had