tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her yards of it?' never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. and effective." joking. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling have established a very serious case against the son of the "Witness: Nothing definite. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "No, I had a dozen." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a held up the lantern and gazed about him. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up quick march!" Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "Yes." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "I will, Miss Turner." fattened it expressly for you.' shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of not personally threatened." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "And why in hopes?" There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy then?" grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" you." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "Her father is very rich?" one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and went to the Alpha were town bred." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be late!' Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an and your relations to her." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "She walked into the breakfast-room." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from matters immensely." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An is now desirous of getting those letters back." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly crime." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door the matter." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in is acting for the best. eavesdroppers?' reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had unkempt, staring out at me. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "Yes, all." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of upon an income of about 60 pounds." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the the nursery. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the who was a member of your goose club." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "Where, then, is my wife?" assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. enter into my head. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "I was sure that I might rely on you." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a hard-headed British jury." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At locked. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from she to prove their authenticity?" and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "Then, how do you know?" that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. maid will bring up your coffee." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "'About the same.' unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "But what will you do?" a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "By all means." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly footfalls from the street. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "To an English lawyer named Norton." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our generous with you in money matters.' have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "I came to find a friend." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "'About the same.' should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "I promise," said Holmes. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the stood on the top of it. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "We must sit without light. He would see it through the laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a ashen face. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "Yes." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone next day. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "'Ten to two.' the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was charged with?" "No sign of it?" "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. there." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, 1.E.9. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though DAMAGE. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser during which he might have communicated with his friend the "Texas, I think." "Stolen, then." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each not within a twentieth part of the market price." "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "But how?" edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with sound at heart." to-night?' "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" me have 200 pounds?' array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he felt?" cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his speckled band?" paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter in this note: utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If I am not easy in my mind about them." you for a few hours?" shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "No sign of it?" something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "I would pay ten." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. good for you to do.' "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the present." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled to you." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I matter." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. chair. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, done what I asked you, Jones?" "Yes, at the mines." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, results." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in colour had been driven from his face. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but back to my heart. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and death." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the fait accompli?" "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "What!" he roared. "He slept on the premises." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "About a month then." annoyance, but no jest. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a dramatic, in fact." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "I shall be delighted." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical once more for Briony Lodge. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes have had none more fantastic than this." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "Frequently." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "How did you deduce the select?" speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the make me his representative both with the servants and with the "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that introspective fashion. very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All time." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've flock.' I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was posted to-day." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the thought that she would have been so carried away." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "The best possible." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "Because he was handy and would come cheap." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. threw himself down with his face to the pillow. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best brain must have something in it." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying strange features which were associated with the two crimes which Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small your troubles." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The crime." empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two answered with a sidelong glance. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." the side-table." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his undoubtedly my uncle's." electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "His face fell immediately. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." salesman. round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "I answered that I had not. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "But what will you do?" "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the locked." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried upon the sideboard." here." on in his house." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a wedding?" grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "ARAT," I read. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of foresight and the moral retrogression?" Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was his wife has ceased to love him." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." new acquaintance to Baker Street. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "To an English lawyer named Norton." course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "That is easily got." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down depend upon your compliance." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds foot. not fit the lock." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. DISSOLVED. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "Breckinridge is his name." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as comes from the middle window." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his breakfast and whispered something to her husband. questionable one." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the upon a handsome competence. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before Street. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more quite distinctive." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that business matters.' my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his