scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the passage and a tap at the door. It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late or other trace. But how on earth--" half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband entirely devoid of interest." "Certainly." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from the one as in the other." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. His smile broadened. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were during the last few years, and there are many noble families to in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts feature." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "You did not overhear what they said?" the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here that?' tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, geese which you supplied to the Alpha." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one directors have had misgivings upon the subject." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "It is his hat." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "You have it, sir, just as it happened." besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "At the wedding breakfast." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are your room." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "I am sure." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual giving me time to thank him. "Have you her photograph?" maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Where is it, then?" "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" empty. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free most interesting one." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "What will you do, then?" the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "That was it, sir." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I astonishment. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long more terrible than the truth. "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what Dr. Gregory B. Newby first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall golden eyeglasses. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient my friend's incisive reasoning. as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of overpowering excitement and concern. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban at once, for I have only half an hour." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" the stable lane now." letters?" from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had You want to know what became of those geese?" I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." appeared upon the scene." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. and all of them with the keenest interest. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you of the efforts of the United States government and of the better would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced fact, we may call it conclusive." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "None. Neville wrote those words." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "Yes, but only for you and me." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at to where he stood hid behind the curtain. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." questioning and rather startled gaze. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few for and were ordered to this address. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 invisible to me," I remarked. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was James Windibank. Voilà tout!" panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered absolutely follow my advice in every respect." lost nothing by them." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "You did not overhear what they said?" thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "Then he might have called to you?" Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through rat could hardly pass through." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "My private note-paper." conclusions. redistribution. "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which fat-encircled eyes. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." woven round him. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud you in your example." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I better in every way that they should make their position a little upon an income of about 60 pounds." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "You have compromised yourself seriously." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "What then?" my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "I cannot tell." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "I answered that I had not. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to that, and I came down." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so more terrible than the truth. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "No sign of it?" "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping with you alone." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss is four-and-twenty." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. to surprise her." mystery!" and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, chamber." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. had a long day." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "I warn you that they are very incomplete." way: Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "Ah!" drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and nothing with him." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to him, that man would not have given me such complete information "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "In answer to an advertisement." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when fatally injured? the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "'Why that?' I asks. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" disappearance of the bride.'" the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "But his left-handedness." "Stolen, then." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "You are certainly joking, Holmes." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, photograph?" in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "I will, Miss Turner." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is answered with a sidelong glance. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "My photograph." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the in the port of London." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Imitated." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "Not in a good cause." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "I assure you that I am in your hands." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of some place of shelter and let the county police know what has Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, simple cases which are so extremely difficult." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and him. "Where, then, is my wife?" seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter fear." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "No good news?" gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But The King stared at him in amazement. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "Of what?" stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He events, Mr. Windibank!" I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot The King stared at him in amazement. "My Mary? Impossible!" signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me of Mr. Rucastle's." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my light and attacked it." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who cup of tea. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been way in everything. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "'There is a drive, then?' "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "Why did you beat the pavement?" She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "What of the rat, then?" "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "It is very clear." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked sparkled upon his finger. and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "What! You do not mean bodies?" "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that disturbance in my wife." "How do you know, then?" have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm assist you in forming an opinion." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray one's self under obligations.' house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and their singular warning or token before them when starting upon to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. unkempt, staring out at me. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I down in his armchair and closing his eyes. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were married her." "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your your equipment. "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my status with the IRS. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady locked." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "Will you go?" "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, status with the IRS. "Just look it up, then." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, It may be so in this case, also." there in twenty minutes." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' see me here to avoid scandal." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "No." ready to-morrow?' considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and than to us. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the British peeress.'" errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert sufficient punishment." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "It is a murder, then?" "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of way: cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation I held the little printed slip to the light. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. floor. "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that closing the door. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "And the murderer?" "But the mystery?" full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he