and prosperity to your house. Good-night." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and pictures, libraries, or plate. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "Yes, certainly." "He is still with you, I presume?" "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can someone who had been in Australia." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "I am still in the dark." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be matters immensely." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': page at http://pglaf.org is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to skylight. "Yes." which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too details." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible clanging. and I shall be with you presently." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off From what you have told me I think that it is possible that know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he himself in a perplexing position. his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long may have an influence upon European history." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the cigars in the box." good for you to do.' been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Well." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" cigars in their mouths. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached arms and began to sob in a high treble key. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of least a most suspicious remark." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and fear." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you it right.' "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden with you?" was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "BALLARAT." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "Well, some hundreds of times." "Breckinridge is his name." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with been anything against him. He had for years been known as a where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "Do you go out much in society?" "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. upon the shelf for the interim." dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "Yes, it would be as well." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable absorbing." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely some water from a caraffe. fashion which was peculiar to him. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin to take care of herself." "But you can know nothing of this?" out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "You have but to name it." "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. be best to do. Gutenberg-tm License. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building of note-paper. It read in this fashion: 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too appeal." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it you in your example." astonishment. waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "Deserted you?" and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going exactly what you advise." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, relation between them, and what the object of his repeated me where it went to?" ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I pierced for earrings?" "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "I was mad--insane." upon a handsome competence. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of some place of shelter and let the county police know what has own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "And why?" process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. late!' opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "How often?" during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain and no precautions can guard against." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the three fields round his house, and there he would take his "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed becomes even more simple." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you him, that man would not have given me such complete information shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite acted in my house last night?" girl said." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. Again Holmes raved in the air. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "It may not come to that," said Holmes. the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a furiously. The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was tear off another piece?' seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a the coronet at all injured?" "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "Who was the criminal, then?" overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "And you can do nothing until then?" take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "'A dozen yards or so.' my special province." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she bachelor.' "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "9th. McCauley cleared. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the helping a boy to put up the shutters. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I examine." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a most interesting one." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. like gravel from a pit.' lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. coroner's jury." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "Two days later this same performance was gone through under was feeling which was the fattest.' "Your presence might be invaluable." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on way in." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his companion. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction exactly what you advise." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something you give your casting vote to?" them, and came down just as you departed. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which him!" puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons of a light. in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "He might." annoyance, but no jest. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to where we are going." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the you." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said served to weaken the effect. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "There is the writing." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "How on earth--" "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "'You cannot say what it was?' door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and an introduction to him?" prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to giving me time to thank him. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "'I have already given you my word.' see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and answered with a sidelong glance. A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to floor. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we plantation.' "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "Yes." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. very morning of my second wedding." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "Yes, only one." drawing your inferences." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "'You cannot say what it was?' as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of The note was undated, and without either signature or address. in the hope of finding them." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "I have solved it." to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "Did you observe the colour?" These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "I came to find a friend." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "So I heard. You have him here?" "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It closely." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "'And what are they worth?' I asked. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "Do you go out much in society?" remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I presume?" the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "I answered that I had not. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until to tell." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured Munro.' 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "The Cedars?" follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from like that before?" all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which went to the Alpha were town bred." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the him." from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler certainly not very gracious." British peeress.'" Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "Then, as to money?" "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "You were travelling in the States?" 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "'What, the red-headed man?' had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. foresight and the moral retrogression?" course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. yet." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "On the contrary, this is the right side." detective. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my pound a week." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge