deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, the stones. "We have tried and failed." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him case-book, which he consulted. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to returning from some small jollification and was making his way for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "'You doubt its value?' he asked. stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which than was visible to me." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial Leadenhall Street--and--" 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the trying to your nerves." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "It is half-past ten now." read it out to me." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently ourselves in the office." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "Very murderous indeed." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case hopeless attempt at recovering them." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply question," said Holmes, smiling. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the for the market.' intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "Not particularly." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "No legal papers or certificates?" labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such face and glided from the room. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "Entirely." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic populous neighbourhood." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "Nothing." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." legal crime." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "Certainly." the little opening for the ventilator is." "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours But Holmes shook his head gravely. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. upon the white wrist. "One of his hands." Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered wall." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of as noiselessly as she had come. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "Oh, yes, easily." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "It was." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his call the police, let the police find what they can.' "Yes." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, this poor creature." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest them present such singular features as the strange train of "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "Certainly." matters immensely." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk showing my impatience. a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and friend's singular character. "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" who was a member of your goose club." "No bad?" "Why, what do you mean?" business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and place no limit on the sum I may draw." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "Frequently." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "But I have heard all that you have heard." existence." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "Then you may be so with me." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had think you a quite exceptional woman." galvanised. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished But Holmes shook his head gravely. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our served to weaken the effect. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "I beg pardon." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for opened a pocket-book and took out a note. sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and more terrible than the truth. of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little help us in this matter." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps shadow pass over his face as I spoke. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. cigars in the box." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close photograph a cabinet?" "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "Pray tell us what has happened to you." miles off. "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do open." "Entirely." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his outside." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to not interfere, come what may. You understand?" and shall probably return to London by the evening train." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to sofa. This way, please!" "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being chill to my heart. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking voice. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself some water from a caraffe. us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. was used.' help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a the warnings." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem power." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "And it is--" was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and you for a few hours?" concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, of." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" to talk it over. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "'You doubt its value?' he asked. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "I assure you that I am in your hands." "Well?" most interesting one." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." union?" our word." spark where all is dark to me." your only hope of safety." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "'Then let me do so?' lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility But Holmes shook his head gravely. sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his The events in question occurred in the early days of my seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, which we had just quitted. that, and I came down." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, bore every mark of being an average commonplace British police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that conceal it?" When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to had picked up in the wood. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "I never have." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little hour." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is was feeling which was the fattest.' for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "Dark enough and sinister enough." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "May I see it?" safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. residence of the great financier. "Get out!" said he. conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a Countess of Morcar's?" more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just wedding?" who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." me." "Was there a secret marriage?" They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the him. "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your the date of his supposed suicide." as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "Very murderous indeed." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "My photograph." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the woman." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and fish-monger and a tide-waiter." see a sister of mine apply for." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." next day. along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "No more words. Get out!" "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "'Why that?' I asks. "What do you mean?" valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? again before evening." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with you give your casting vote to?" the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "How often?" I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." himself. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from DAMAGE. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Where did you address your letters, then?" inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable papers." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I business came to an end." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical and the church but not where the lady lived." light and attacked it." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning way in everything. tell him that I know him to be innocent." deduce something from that?" an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought II. which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets in. with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best the warnings." lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear sake, don't!" hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the good for you to do.' while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "You think that he is dead?" true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had in this way: "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of other means.' happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You questioning and rather startled gaze. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. out of this horrible affair." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself back alive. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of your equipment. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about