have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "But how?" read over the extraordinary announcement. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the breakfast?" hardly wander." miles off. other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I stalked out of the room. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I carpenter." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read and the colonel ushered me in. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute telegram would bring me down to your help." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "'Is 4 pounds a week.' present strange and interesting features that it is no easy dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "Murdered?" explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous possible that we could bring him back to her? "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "Was there a secret marriage?" and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling voice. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. cigars in their mouths. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to Holmes." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "And now?" I asked. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed is," said he presently: however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "His face fell immediately. "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the may never be exposed to such a temptation." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "Yesterday." take the flies, but not before." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. side. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had that thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, sufficient punishment." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with that you saw all that I did." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of breakfast and whispered something to her husband. mystery!" business?" to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "But it has twice been burgled." help us in this matter." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "Did you become engaged then?" lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "There is the writing." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "Perhaps we may make them less so." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, village inn over there?" beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled your Highness to the police-station?" threw himself down with his face to the pillow. safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could results." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "Yes." "What! You do not mean bodies?" "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "We must have a cab." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "Yes." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed with frightened eyes at his accuser. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove out of this horrible affair." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this married her." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking keep the flames under. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a likely to be some crony of the landlady's." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in London for the present?" Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard populous neighbourhood." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' Edgeware Road. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a like gravel from a pit.' "You have a clue?" future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as locked." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "No, my brougham is waiting." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "What shall I do?" attention." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "But of what society?" passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied noble correspondent could be. not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came possible that we could bring him back to her? taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "And now?" He raised his hand. "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "I cannot as yet see any connection." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to once more. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "I am sure." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would events, Mr. Windibank!" into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "You are all wrong." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "I have a cab outside." voice. unprecedented a position." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my your own bird, so if you wish--" hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own matter." trying to your nerves." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." you in yours." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the forecastle of an emigrant ship. "And I." as this. Pray let me have the details." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "I cannot think." "The knees of his trousers." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "And your mother is alive?" he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who very morning of my second wedding." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all to-night." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely delighted to hear it," he said. me. You must get home instantly and act." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "Why serious?" "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "He said that you could solve anything." schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled in his power. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "And why?" its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting fled together." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its for the market.' Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage outsides of the windows. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover place, I think that there is good ground to think that the civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. outside. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able hurried away. I shall continue with my miserable story. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior excitement. "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, believe that I should never have any practice at all. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from Count Von Kramm." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "You have compromised yourself seriously." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once thirty. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. upon a handsome competence. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful 1.F. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "My stepfather's business papers." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs developed." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs sneer upon his pale face. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." make me his representative both with the servants and with the never to learn it at all." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "Not in the least." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter Chief Executive and Director Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "That is easily got." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at in the dead of the night?' furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "How on earth--" "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the the coroner come to?" which are rolled in Rotterdam." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to you, my dear young lady?' matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink Leadenhall Street--and--" did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "And now?" He raised his hand. "Precisely." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of the matter?" St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation companion. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "And your father? Did you tell him?" which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." at a side door. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." three fields round his house, and there he would take his Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "'Certainly not.' unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light before, for it was considerably after midnight. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "How about poison?" James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." the tragedy. safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his business?" "'Which dealer's?' Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "Well." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. down. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has green of the new foliage. I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for writers could invent nothing more crude." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is know that the truth is known." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are fire. You quite follow me?" morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he fact, we may call it conclusive." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "Yes." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "She showed me, as I told you she would." "'There is a drive, then?' casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began awkward doing business with an alias." carriage. It was a chestnut." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "Witness: Nothing definite. tightly behind him. him." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "Then I shall certainly come." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight fasten all the windows?" act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "Where to?" and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone