suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most made his money." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to business?" "But his left-handedness." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with dramatic, in fact." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "And for present expenses?" presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention wall." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "'What do you call purely nominal?' "Just look it up, then." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." developed." speckled band?" beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did outside." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback skylight. "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "You heard nothing yourself last night?" which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told friends, not even his own brother. "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of not within a twentieth part of the market price." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should was not a bird to be seen there. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the posted to-day." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of troubles have been weighing upon his mind. returned to France?" and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. her also." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "Of Friday, June 19th." "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "And Irene Adler?" "And how did you verify them?" very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss husband's writing, madam." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were suddenly upon us." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders fuss that is made over them." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges that a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "What shall I do?" skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But allusion to a rat. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. very old mansion. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "But I am all in the dark." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "In San Francisco, a year ago." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his other lovers by making love himself." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its I was concerned in it." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "Why did you beat the pavement?" friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "VIOLET HUNTER." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that himself in a perplexing position. how narrow had been my escape. against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, maid will bring up your coffee." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "No sign of it?" at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "And what did you learn from him?" "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' is worth.' woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which posted to-day." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an was a perfect sample of the class. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had the matter?" impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son records." was feeling which was the fattest.' the very morning of the wedding." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. envelope. good-night and bustled off upon her way. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case legal crime." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "No." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" help us in this matter." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "I have a cab outside." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the out of this horrible affair." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "By no means." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in a little more before I quite committed myself. "Certainly." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to the stable lane now." unprecedented a position." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out sufficient punishment." "Entirely." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill approach us with offers to donate. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "At what time?" no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the sake, don't!" years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of Holmes' room. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking of Mr. Rucastle's." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "No, thank goodness, she did not." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "Pray let us have it, for all that." said he. "Could he throw no light?" Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "Holmes, the busybody!" fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my His smile broadened. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "Where, then, is my wife?" assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. companion. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. weapon." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible advice." chambers. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "She will not sell." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny me. "The rest you will leave in our hands." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be who was a member of your goose club." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, infinite languor in his face. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, get her out of the way." "Ha! you find it so?" "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a The King stared at him in amazement. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "You horrify me." affection." following enigmatical notices: "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I a room. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed signal between you and your father? "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your Holmes rather sternly. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB strong reason behind." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "I guessed as much." tension within him. jewels which you have stolen?' "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, Doctor, of the paper and the date." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his noble correspondent could be. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have rat could hardly pass through." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "I shall be delighted." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "Not in the least." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and that?' "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes like that before?" minor matters until to-morrow." arrested. You then--" "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a to change my dress. very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not Pope's Court, Fleet Street." You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving delighted to hear it," he said. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email such person." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage morning." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which introspective fashion. into the room. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few province." "'Yes, it was gone.' he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was forebodings. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was out." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you him, that man would not have given me such complete information familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is in a very precise fashion." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate I shall continue with my miserable story. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his me, and I could not think that his explanation of the drawing your inferences." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had child?' with the outside air!" The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of very morning of my second wedding." think that he is innocent?" and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "It looks newer than the other things?" the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the cause to be." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "Certainly, madam." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "And I say east," said my patient. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage union?" off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I in the hope of finding them." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "I don't believe it." the dangers which encompass me." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "And sit in the dark?" year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned Holmes' face clouded over. "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We Edgeware Road. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "No, finished." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and and I shall be with you presently." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a disappearance of the bride.'" "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you despair." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "'I am sure that I do not know.' "No." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist without a word or a look. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and colonel looking down at me. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "This photograph!" left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "How long did she speak to this Alice?" been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "Perhaps we may make them less so." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "It is a murder, then?" married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "Thank you. Pray proceed." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "'A dozen yards or so.' of campaign. of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought I took the paper from him and read as follows: "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a about. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But DAMAGE. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, begun to whiten, even as mine has." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which returning from some small jollification and was making his way "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a wall." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which to-night?" I asked. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "Here?" arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "No. His orders were to stay in the house." down. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!"