"I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was observed. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an compunction about shooting them down." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet his knees, staring into the fire. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. not personally threatened." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." Foundation works. old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "I have come for advice." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, and I shall be with you presently." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous been." Sutherland. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a opportunities to fix the problem. "That's no good." spare." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester views." Heh?' unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George very peculiar words of the dying woman?" In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "Witness: Nothing definite. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe This is what he says: hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so populous neighbourhood." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "Really! You surprise me." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no business." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming then?" so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read helping a boy to put up the shutters. feature." true." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet skylight. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "'I have already given you my word.' turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "We must have a cab." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "To the police?" "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its The events in question occurred in the early days of my "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United husband's writing, madam." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the disturbance in my wife." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he something of him before." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "Oh, the cause is excellent!" upon a handsome competence. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am again, where I was soon asleep. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to colonel looking down at me. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread the iron safe, which he closed upon it. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he of the vacancies.' to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "So I am. Very much so." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "One?" About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature the station." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. papers." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "No. What a strange idea!" The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "What!" he roared. not within a twentieth part of the market price." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard kindly on the shoulder. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Yes." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you do." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black foresight and the moral retrogression?" the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United friends, not even his own brother. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, introspective fashion. Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "How did that help you?" business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. him to go away.' glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is for securing the situation." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four should be taken.' the so-precious time, but come!' days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, crackling voice. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and arrangements." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in this unhappy family?" accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the second window is the one that I jumped from." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "We have tried and failed." guilty parties." "I beg pardon." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than already been minutely examined." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "'Yes, sir.' is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other conceal it?" the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a will he say when he returns?" you." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new official police." character. Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "'Is purely nominal.' "How on earth--" slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "'Most admirably.' keep the flames under. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are Pool. name is different." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "Where did you address your letters, then?" place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to have been better. It is all right." to some other building. fled together." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that such person." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "By train from Waterloo." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "Yes, it was twisted." "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I that the gas is not laid on in his house?" persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others charge against him will break down." listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and this poor creature." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "'I have heard so.' customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "Yesterday." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. figure." all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Always." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary morning." "'In my own bureau.' With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help Miss Holder?" the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even should be so warm over such a trifle." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small his face which made him a very different person to the round, ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the asked. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond directly by questioning you." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "Where, indeed?" "Then, as to money?" 'please.'" Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we call you and give you the chance." "Well?" money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "Then, how do you know?" broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start you want, then?' granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, photograph?" to arrive at through this?" all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, the running down." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "That is not always so easy." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "They are typewritten," I remarked. the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. I leave." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "Pray do so." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he despaired of." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise in the port of London." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when ceremony." signal between you and your father? morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were whatever might befall. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "Is he quiet?" such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains wanted for ourselves." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us and glanced through. the address that was given us in the advertisement. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the father's young wife. "I have solved it." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "What steps will you take?" I asked. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of and prosperity to your house. Good-night." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "Then I do not see the point." was shining brightly. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could bill, which interests me deeply." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the Holmes' room. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My the coronet in his hands?" "Certainly." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "No bad?" hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while he. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "Come in!" said Holmes. brandy and water within his reach. introspective fashion. must compliment you." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "Yes, it was twisted." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "To an English lawyer named Norton." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "Yes." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and public press." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "A confidential servant?" in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the