horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "It is solved." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "And Miss Sutherland?" Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and this remarkable episode. either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, DISSOLVED. "What do you mean?" beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the off." lost his Christmas dinner." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "It's nothing of the kind." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Upon what point?" "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "'Certainly not.' "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a ventilator." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more of the way of danger. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in strong reason behind." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The this remarkable episode. dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "Your French gold?" man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before forebodings. "Yes." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with roused himself from his reverie. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." standing smiling on the door-step. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "Seven!" I answered. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. everything which you would wish to know." leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "Entirely." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. to a light-house. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. 1.F. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." wedding?" darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "No good news?" the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret you found me to-night--and running through the front room she moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT drawing your inferences." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "What of the rat, then?" "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten been shamefully used." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "But she will refuse." "'What do you call purely nominal?' "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, Holmes' face clouded over. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "What do you mean?" always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. residence of the great financier. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "You don't mind breaking the law?" sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' fashion which was peculiar to him. the matter." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' had this final quarrel? from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he the very morning of the wedding." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying down in his armchair and closing his eyes. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "No bad?" "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "I think that it is very probable." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round I have it here in my museum." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner and the colonel ushered me in. of his shoulders. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "We have tried and failed." with frightened eyes at his accuser. away to you." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds outbreak?" "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, heavy and sharp instrument." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made manager. at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," leaning back in his chair. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. way: those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I presented which may be striking and bizarre without being and it need not interfere very much with one's other father's young wife. "But you were on a friendly footing?" the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "I would give my fortune to have them back." them?" "Is he quiet?" asked. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "But his left-handedness." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard III. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the *** START: FULL LICENSE *** reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to new duties?' "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. out of this horrible affair." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager window when the police appeared." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "This concluded the examination of the witness." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was promised to bring home. "'How far from the body?' among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. gone. "I am following you closely," I answered. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., strong and stiff." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "That's no good." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small think that he is innocent?" "I answered that I had not. face and glided from the room. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "It may not come to that," said Holmes. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "Perfectly so." "Bought." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical look upon these things in a different way." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I Stoke Moran." gbnewby@pglaf.org Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "But you have hopes?" between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught whether it answered to the description of any of their in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin business." wall." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "But of what society?" from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "I cannot imagine." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Come in!" said Holmes. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "You have compromised yourself seriously." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three himself. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of discontent upon his features. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my you in your example." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. at home. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did the stones. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "It's nothing of the kind." ashen face. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the noble correspondent could be. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had all?" "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "And the murderer?" these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as letters?" Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his guilty one." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "The best possible." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as his fortune, and I went back to pa. problems help me to do so." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside have not had my rubber." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white three of the beryls in it, was missing. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. kindly on the shoulder. papers must be those that are destroyed.' homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one ashen face. delighted to hear it," he said. one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return photograph?" doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them a very grave face. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from sofa. This way, please!" affair. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of and that he would see to anything that turned up. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of when you have done it." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" back to my heart. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened one of them." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite strong and stiff." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "Yes, certainly." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one directors, with the result that you have seen." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and them present such singular features as the strange train of the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and my room." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the help us in this matter." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a on in his house." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an room had already been engaged for us. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist him." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots written. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when maid will bring up your coffee." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "I have seen the police." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut respectable self." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "And how in the world did you find them?" It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped I nodded to show that I had heard. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the of his shoulders. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "Ha! you find it so?" There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for see a sister of mine apply for." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the London for the present?" upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for mysterious end." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "It is true that I have been generally successful." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "To an end?" dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "My dear Holmes!" the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "Was your sister dressed?" "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a them?" "Very much so." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick,