"Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a time." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "Perfectly so." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Has he come with you to-night?" With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was you." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and http://gutenberg.net/license). "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "Which are?" Arthur Conan Doyle am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "I will, Miss Turner." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. absolutely follow my advice in every respect." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "'I am sure that I do not know.' "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "The King of Scandinavia." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "But how could you guess what the motive was?" became a certainty. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt there when the Rucastles went away." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands could not account in any way for the presence of the missing hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of you for a few hours?" down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A McCarthy's innocence. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, absolutely follow my advice in every respect." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I But Holmes shook his head gravely. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "Yesterday." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical Foundation which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "'Is purely nominal.' on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very the coronet in his hands?" me. You must get home instantly and act." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and to me. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon way: who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "But how?" at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots the side-table." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "At half-wages, in fact." brain must have something in it." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with did not hear it also.' without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. on in his house." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so nice household for a young lady." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, occupations.' "I don't say that. Perhaps." "What then?" providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "So I heard. You have him here?" excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a you?' "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "It is possible." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "Then, as to money?" "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, attention." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "Then, how do you know?" is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of which we had just quitted. know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have row." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "And how in the world did you find them?" to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "Do you know him?" sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "He is dead," cried several voices. "Will you bet, then?" who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "Yes." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "'Most admirably.' frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," colonel looking down at me. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "I think it very unlikely." sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "Certainly." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "I will, Miss Turner." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "I was mad--insane." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "My dear Holmes!" than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Nothing." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "At half-wages, in fact." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "Yes, from Horsham." morning." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "What shall I do?" "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat present." was already answered. with some details as to your case." trying to your nerves." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "Yes, it was twisted." and capable of preserving a secret.' "But what harm can there be in that?" "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "My own seal." plantation.' he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered knowledge of the world." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and other means.' about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt fait accompli?" and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but acted in my house last night?" the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is without a word or a look. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "'Oh, no.' original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not security.' "This photograph!" "She showed me, as I told you she would." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to it." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "Yes, from Horsham." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg ways including including checks, online payments and credit card in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "And why?" round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised about here speaks of his kindness to him." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if was shining brightly. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong back into the street. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. copied or distributed: what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, relation between them, and what the object of his repeated the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria signal between you and your father? "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. Countess of Morcar's?" Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for opened a pocket-book and took out a note. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it know that the truth is known." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to weighed down with some great anxiety. sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of as the one I chose?' "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "And you thought he was pulled back?" It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole examine." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through not personally threatened." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. should be so warm over such a trifle." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "Why? What do you mean?" table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length McCarthy." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' I approached. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "Yes, from Horsham." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He come either from the window or the door. My attention was "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door paper in the air. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if detective. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is clanging. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now invisible to me," I remarked. most interesting one." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it definite end. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy yards of it?' enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, a little more before I quite committed myself. http://www.gutenberg.net rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view address. sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has green of the new foliage. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "But I am all in the dark." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked strong and stiff." Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to works. and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "Yes, it would be as well." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and was feeling which was the fattest.' on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, as this. Pray let me have the details." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "And your father? Did you tell him?" "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "And your father? Did you tell him?" "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is been with you?" slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone It was close upon four before the door opened, and a skylight. London for the present?" 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "That is it on the dressing-table." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "I was sure that I might rely on you." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "'I am sure that I do not know.' Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, believe that I should never have any practice at all. of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite with you?" and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Entirely." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "A confidential servant?" his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and hand, madam?" in. affair. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of during that time.' my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." all that?" hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a she might be summoned. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink certainly do as you advise." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "Murdered?" done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I you in your example." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "Nothing." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment comes from the middle window." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and the armchair which I pushed forward for him. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. standing smiling on the door-step. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. observed. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" to have been novel and of interest." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper purpose of examination. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "Where did you address your letters, then?" Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was nothing with him."