"The doctor?" "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "'Yes, I promise.' brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that sound at heart." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his think that any burglar could have done. "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced and all of them with the keenest interest. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. noting anything else of interest. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "I was afraid that you were engaged." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. business?" a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, with you?" eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "A greater distance to travel." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from instincts rose up against that laugh. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest the morning and make my own way in the world.' for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we fat-encircled eyes. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate approach us with offers to donate. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and details." felt the room to be a little close.' "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the to Leatherhead. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these Lestrade of Scotland Yard." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's such attractions and accomplishments?' "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must you understand?" was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should made him keep the appointment." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The instituted." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "Won't it ring?" very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "And when will you call?" in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an there is a decided draught." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "Precisely." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a ordinary clothes on?" the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The the tragedy. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "One of the highest in England." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed of the efforts of the United States government and of the better staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "He disappeared so suddenly." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "You know me, then?" "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "Come in!" said Holmes. attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that of them has the shutters up.' he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, it right.' "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded less than 26s. 4d. possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in likely to be some crony of the landlady's." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be persecution?" Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "Certainly." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of three fields round his house, and there he would take his with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that breakfast." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "And now?" I asked. there has been an enclosure here!" tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey right! Sit down and let us talk it over." should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Perhaps we may make them less so." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, searched, without anything being found which could incriminate the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and was keenly on my guard against him. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "What have you to say now?" what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. brain must have something in it." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "No." intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open formed some opinion?" "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "How on earth--" "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the This is what he says: matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "Certainly." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a you for a few hours?" "They are typewritten," I remarked. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Bought." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in very old mansion. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "Pray tell us what has happened to you." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss had a long day." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his any." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "10th. John Swain cleared. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the For additional contact information: jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I really the only notable feature about the thing." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad outbreak?" spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from outside." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "What steps will you take?" I asked. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His events than those which have happened in my own family." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, said he. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was and capable of preserving a secret.' in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. instituted." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I you." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been just called myself is not exactly my own." plantation.' whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." with the outside air!" fluttered off among the others. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of gives a meaning to it." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "Not in the least." "Then I am your man." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "Yes, I have one waiting." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "No." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been were wasted." "Precisely." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. Arthur Conan Doyle occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to has little to do with my story." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in From what you have told me I think that it is possible that loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I o'clock is it?" he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under friends, not even his own brother. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "No." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing me where it went to?" controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "But how?" door?" "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "My photograph." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found behind me. "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me suspect him." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a must compliment you." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. it means?" afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked woven round him. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And she to prove their authenticity?" understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "You horrify me!" "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "How did he come?" safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too American. Then who could this American be, and why should he Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, chambers. would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If subject to the trademark license, especially commercial what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "Eh? What was that?" "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" you." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault daring than any effort of the imagination." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that maiden herself was most instructive." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive highroad, where all traces were lost. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "I am still in the dark." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a his wife has ceased to love him." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "It certainly sounds feasible." "We have tried and failed." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I system of imprisonment?" I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "Game for a morning drive?" The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he individual and becomes the badge of a society." a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with Literary Archive Foundation so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "No, distinctly professional." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his the best of training." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "Just look it up, then." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" whole matter to your consideration." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a point our research must commence, and we will begin it by on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and the armchair which I pushed forward for him. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you and your relations to her." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "'Why that?' I asks. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "Not in the least." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight Countess of Morcar's?" her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter