to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "That also I could fathom." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' entirely devoid of interest." man. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up you found me to-night--and running through the front room she populous neighbourhood." opened the door, and slipped through. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary is four-and-twenty." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: excitement. overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the kindly on the shoulder. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Come in!" said Holmes. The events in question occurred in the early days of my residence of the great financier. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the The King stared at him in amazement. I held the little printed slip to the light. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy London for the present?" "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a so far?" and the whole place is in a blaze." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there crime. I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I their singular warning or token before them when starting upon his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I one's self under obligations.' "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "A thing like a cleaver," said he. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors is worth.' Street. stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "To an end?" bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might congenial hunt. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said lids now and glanced across at his visitor. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "I will get her to show me." III. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst indiscretion." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. foresight and the moral retrogression?" every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." society." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the o'clock is it?" pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we along the entire front of the house, with three long windows a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With confronted him. London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "Yes, they were peculiar boots." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "Nothing." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." and looked back. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." For additional contact information: to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the answer." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the silent! Oh, he will be silent!' south, for the country is more deserted there." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was ago." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "A client, then?" the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked test if we have an answer to our advertisement." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "You are certainly joking, Holmes." other lovers by making love himself." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and just ask you whether you had heard it.' What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known I nodded to show that I had heard. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" bearing upon the case." as yours." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I likely to be some crony of the landlady's." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I national property. I was determined that the law should have its the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will You can understand that this register and diary may implicate sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the away into the river." that he will be back before evening." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe paper in the air. stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "In San Francisco, a year ago." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure night.' said he. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am and laid it on the table. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness exactly what you advise." "It is half-past ten now." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their clanging. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "And I." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." ventilator." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "'Never.' uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured future lives." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which main points of my analysis." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "'In my own bureau.' "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, made his money." protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should London for the present?" drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "Precisely." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "What will you do, then?" You can understand that this register and diary may implicate article?" her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what It was close upon four before the door opened, and a in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip beg that you will break it off." your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after our word." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you whereabouts. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a man. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "No more words. Get out!" in the port of London." certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "In which, sir?" so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "There is the writing." status with the IRS. my secret was safe in his possession. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "Why serious?" surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "Well, but China?" money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter child?' The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, Young McCarthy must be got off, however." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe my special province." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots might help us?" livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his prepare for the new role I have to play." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "Perfectly so." "Ah!" satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "But I have heard all that you have heard." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "And that is--" Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to man. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of address. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "Certainly, madam." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel me where it went to?" it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange congenial hunt. from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "And why in hopes?" "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier The King stared at him in amazement. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "And sit in the dark?" 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" nights." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, and glanced through. instituted." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable me. You must get home instantly and act." not come at once?" Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his and inquire as to the address." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All in darkness. deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "And your mother is alive?" property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could perplexity from it to my illustrious client. is acting for the best. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "But you can know nothing of this?" "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to look dissatisfied." "Yes." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "'Then let me do so?' As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "That you are never beaten." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From that before taking the final step I should like to submit the robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad was it brought him the coronet? more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. be sorry for having acted so harshly." with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; all-comprehensive glances. "I cannot imagine." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier closing the door. "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent it were putty." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside case-book, which he consulted. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." have not had my rubber." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything hurried away. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big there were one or two details which were new to me. But the upon a handsome competence. "At what time?" young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and