will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box married her." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that evidence," I remarked. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "Where did he live, then?" of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "It certainly sounds feasible." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. this remarkable episode. refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the best detective that ever lived. unclasping of his long thin hands. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "I saw her in conversation with her maid." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "It missed him, then?" the bottom.' where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very friend's singular character. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. that you wished to speak to me?' smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation him to go away.' the night.' down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "Yes." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, down in his armchair and closing his eyes. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined for its centre. "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did train.' father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the absolutely follow my advice in every respect." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "'A dozen yards or so.' "It is very kind of you." know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "I saw her in conversation with her maid." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She as yours." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he would apply.' You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. it." invisible to me," I remarked. case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "It certainly sounds feasible." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "Game for a morning drive?" Eyford." at home. "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods drawing your inferences." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "Never." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "Because he was handy and would come cheap." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "Oh, yes, easily." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "And the cigar-holder?" copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed cup of tea. the very morning of the wedding." giving me time to thank him. events than those which have happened in my own family." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists tied." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for appeared upon the scene." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "A call for help, you thought?" from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "In the cells." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "No, I had a dozen." Edgeware Road. photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that be. a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "They are typewritten," I remarked. "And Miss Sutherland?" "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "It missed him, then?" "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter people in all walks of life. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a humiliation." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down there in twenty minutes." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "Were they all fastened this morning?" much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "'What are you doing there?' he asked. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then Farm upon the left." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "Yes, that is the Crown." of this gang." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of business matters.' upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may quickly through a disagreeable task. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you a good hundred miles off by now." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "'Certainly not. But why?' you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for politicians who had been sent down from the North. Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the wedding?" like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his but preventing her from injuring another. people don't know." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He foot. drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary intrusion of other matters." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you I leave." wall." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle which I could not give. He asked for Alice. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my are, I think, all that we need." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp is worth.' he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to knowledge of the world." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "What! a murderous attack?" The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "He said that you could solve anything." "'Ten to two.' the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "And is that all?" "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your delighted to hear it," he said. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass obstinate." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to something of him before." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "So I am. Very much so." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "'What are you doing there?' he asked. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began hurried away. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with main points of my analysis." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "We were both in the photograph." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean few hundred pounds.' had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, evidence," I remarked. future lives." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "But how will you look?" Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "Was he the only applicant?" that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a chamber." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. and effective." Munro.' not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "'Most admirably.' the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five strode off upon his way. "'No, I know no one in these parts.' There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "What! You do not mean bodies?" Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he washing it down with a long draught of water. "He disappeared so suddenly." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "Yes, certainly." http://www.gutenberg.net landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" spare." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as of receipt of the work. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "He is still with you, I presume?" time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have The King stared at him in amazement. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." call you and give you the chance." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it too. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a tightly behind him. "And Miss Sutherland?" across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "Bought." Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "May I see it?" pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and without a word or a look. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable dramatic, in fact." have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that gentleman's clothes. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his secret." whatever might befall. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is vague figure huddled up in the darkness. my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do married her." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "I assure you that I am in your hands." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "'And what salary do you ask?' I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one garden below. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few weighed down with some great anxiety. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is with the outside air!" into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter had picked up in the wood. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and cost them two and thirty pounds." "Was she in good spirits?" lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "It's nothing of the kind." across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to keep the flames under. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case not personally threatened." "And it is--" sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy I leave." said I. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "What do you make of that, Watson?" "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "But how will you look?" downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "I was sure that I might rely on you." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the affection." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in his wife has ceased to love him." went to the Alpha were town bred." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your to-night's adventure." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon once more for Briony Lodge. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for