guilty one." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." held up the lantern and gazed about him. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be and no precautions can guard against." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he Holmes. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone round with crates and massive boxes. meanly of me." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "You saw the ventilator, too?" weary and pale-looking. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he Mrs. Toller serenely. robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the strength of mind to control. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He retorted upon me, and I on you." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. what these perils are?" bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "'Then let me do so?' not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time was once confined in the cab my mission was practically We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the did not hear it also.' to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "And now?" I asked. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "What can it mean?" I gasped. unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "But how did you gain them?" is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he are, I think, all that we need." Sutherland. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and have had none more fantastic than this." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper words came to my lips. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' the very letters. But what is this written above them?' effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so newspaper selections." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the interest. They are important, you understand, without being chambers. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and was feeling which was the fattest.' to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and strength in the others." Munro.' her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about look dissatisfied." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can himself to tell his story. "Dark enough and sinister enough." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. south, for the country is more deserted there." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and chambers. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the important." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "'I am sure if I had known--' the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a were new raised from a basin. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "'Yes, I promise.' "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get most important business. It is probable that he will be away all respectable self." "'What do you call purely nominal?' "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear of it with the greatest attention. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. against a man in the prime of life?" Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there forbidden door. had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "By no means." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold the coronet at all injured?" tell him that I know him to be innocent." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "I think that it is very probable." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is plantation.' company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Have you it here?" did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" over with notes and figures. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that very morning of my second wedding." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of your Highness to the police-station?" here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his it." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without lamp in his hand. the bottom.' room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our bled considerably." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be most interesting one." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the may have an influence upon European history." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "I will not look." future lives." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "Entirely." miles off. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set think that he is innocent?" my special province." Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "Quite so. She has her freedom." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked spare." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not despair." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed following enigmatical notices: "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could once more. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "But how will you look?" metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I is worth.' "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was crowd. official police." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are morning." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a lectures into a series of tales." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as http://gutenberg.net/license). carried out of court." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "He disappeared so suddenly." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable sit on the left-hand side of the driver." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made if only as a check to my own memory." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "You were travelling in the States?" 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. The King stared at him in amazement. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who note?" of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "Yes, the wine-cellar." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "That is also quite modern," said the lady. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with photograph?" o'clock is it?" what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and you?" "You think so, too?" "No, distinctly professional." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "'I am sure if I had known--' to you." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "You have but to name it." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is gone. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "Entirely." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of at a side door. nothing with him." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind DISSOLVED. "Yes." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an than was visible to me." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "Come in!" said Holmes. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his entirely lost his self-respect." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it were wasted." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, know that the truth is known." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to had this final quarrel? tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off married her." opportunities to fix the problem. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "Was the window open?" gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a any more." his forehead." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We the stable lane now." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than whereabouts. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a spark where all is dark to me." "How did you trace it, then?" springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." was lame." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that tail." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had wife's character?" "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "I would give my fortune to have them back." were wasted." I am not easy in my mind about them." house for five minutes.' have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "Can I be of assistance?" and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in British peeress.'" coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards trifles." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "Yes." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" Lestrade of Scotland Yard." carried out of court." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for of the way of danger. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to existence." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "I am about to be married." "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; extraordinary contortions. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "How did you trace it, then?" "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and conversation I have gathered that they have been married about present." American. Then who could this American be, and why should he room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in said I. as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though over here." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "To an end?" thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "In which, sir?" papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the in my life." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light DISSOLVED. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. you." direction." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "Do you go out much in society?" that I can to serve you." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm up this clue while it is still hot." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him searched, without anything being found which could incriminate official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "Murdered?" observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. exactly what you advise." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own