hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I brain must have something in it." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you geese which you supplied to the Alpha." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the invisible to me," I remarked. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through vault. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea What do you deduce from it?" happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back entirely lost his self-respect." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. posted to-day." "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "I would give my fortune to have them back." fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "Who was the criminal, then?" is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, had this final quarrel? 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is prison!" bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. if I call to-morrow?" tear off another piece?' "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "Your presence might be invaluable." hurried by. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his as noiselessly as she had come. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that legal crime." "Nothing." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Where did you address your letters, then?" bedroom door." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns horse could go." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an could gather together that I was able to avert another public sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the suddenly upon us." silent! Oh, he will be silent!' the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little eat it." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and weighed down with some great anxiety. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a lectures into a series of tales." hurried by. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "You saw the ventilator, too?" however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "I should like to see him very much." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. all that?" when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I into the room. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" daring than any effort of the imagination." constraint." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have public press." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is matters immensely." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." outside." nothing of it?" "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "I would give my fortune to have them back." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Could he throw no light?" There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "No, I had a dozen." business at Coburg Square is serious." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, go from here to the Strand." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular in your London, you will know that the office of the company is I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "You have the photograph?" dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "'Certainly,' I answered. favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "We were both in the photograph." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." used to be." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to his cane at the bell-pull. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "I will, Miss Turner." "You know me, then?" covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had conduct the inquiry." your co-operation." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "And what did you see?" may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally in the hope of finding them." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "Not in a good cause." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "That's no good." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered guilty one." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. whether it answered to the description of any of their "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted I nodded to show that I had heard. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "I would pay ten." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." as he remarks, very much against the son." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them she used." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" look dissatisfied." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and side. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "Will you go?" been anything against him. He had for years been known as a sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back into the bag, and made for the door. some city in a dream. typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "I will do it." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, father's place of business?" "Only as much as we can deduce." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how mystery!" It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the to me. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of him to go away.' when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one returning from some small jollification and was making his way points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "Well?" annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your tell them apart.' might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters was a lad." be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I respectable self." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their shaken than I had ever seen him. brandy and water within his reach. town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "I never have." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "'I am sure that I do not know.' helping a boy to put up the shutters. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "By no means." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a without a word or a look. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. excitement. Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "The decline of his fortunes, then?" a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "Yes, it would be as well." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should frequently gained my first real insight into the character of which it had come upon my father." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of even of instruction." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "What then?" strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle my room." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or Holmes' thin, eager face. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "So I am. Very much so." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this read over the extraordinary announcement. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something me, and I could not think that his explanation of the and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the developed." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "My last client of the sort was a king." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "I should be immensely obliged to you." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would when you have done it." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "'In my own bureau.' it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in to miss it." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." only touch the interest." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. morning." showing my impatience. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have miles off. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of here." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, were unconscious?" "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to might have a private word with us. autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "'Why that?' I asks. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "Yesterday." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "But you can know nothing of this?" "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "But who is he?" "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Why did you pick him?" present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "And did you observe any change in her then?" had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging distance from the station, and there we found the young lady to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace your co-operation." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "A greater distance to travel." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking fashion which was peculiar to him. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, James Windibank. Voilà tout!" Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" papers." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who you do it in twenty minutes!' "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "'Yes, it was gone.' B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as little adventures." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go had died away into the silence from which it rose. to some other building. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of the running down." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And him to go away.' "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "How do you know, then?" I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air dear old homesteads?" to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." me where it went to?" a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever him nearly every evening."