and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of it." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, fear." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place prepare for the new role I have to play." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long pressing in one house as in another. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "Yes." To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "That is it on the dressing-table." The King stared at him in amazement. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need voice, changing her seat as requested. three of the beryls in it, was missing. "The King of Scandinavia." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. corner of the building. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with now. It seems that there had been some informality about their very morning of my second wedding." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed daring than any effort of the imagination." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "Proceed, then." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "You have the photograph?" gbnewby@pglaf.org delirious. It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such might help us?" standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "To an end?" "Was he the only applicant?" thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "That you are never beaten." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "Of what?" distinguish the words: have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that I am not easy in my mind about them." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she to Leatherhead. see a sister of mine apply for." been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "'I am sure that I do not know.' explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is washing it down with a long draught of water. the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt Heh?' "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "What! a murderous attack?" She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a himself. "And now?" I asked. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "You are all wrong." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." room had already been engaged for us. photograph?" to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "You have the photograph?" strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who once more. maid will bring up your coffee." business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "There are none." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled may never be exposed to such a temptation." one of them." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as 'I should be able to look after that for you.' roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right thought that she would have been so carried away." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting get the tickets." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb October 9, 1890. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most him. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and towards the blaze. Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may his forehead." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. lost his Christmas dinner." "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he went to the Alpha were town bred." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the said I. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out My friend smiled. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. other means.' long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them stepfather?" "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' wanted for ourselves." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and cheerful." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." man. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten photograph?" adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to whatever might befall. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit to some other building. The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "Who was the criminal, then?" "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A so.' seen the man in the road." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. reach." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "'Never.' "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the footfalls from the street. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that some water from a caraffe. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange interest. They are important, you understand, without being quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "But she could not love him." "Yes." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram in. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are our word." outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any It may be so in this case, also." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable coat-tails." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion amused." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, my secret was safe in his possession. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "Game for a morning drive?" A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant instituted." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate neither fascinating nor artistic." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "Of Friday, June 19th." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at vague figure huddled up in the darkness. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "You forget that I know nothing about it." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with Eyford at 11:15.' see me here to avoid scandal." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass sneer upon his pale face. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "And leave your case unfinished?" "Breckinridge is his name." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and front of the hall door has given its name to the place. pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by been with you?" cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set coat-tails." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and closely." was lame." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, cause to be." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "But you have hopes?" be. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I again, where I was soon asleep. "I shall most certainly do so." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "'Is 4 pounds a week.' fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he page at http://pglaf.org William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my the bottom.' "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London wanted for ourselves." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon that The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now obstinate." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "It is possible." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should tear off another piece?' "'Certainly not.' "Yes, at the mines." a monotonous occupation." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "I see many objections to any such theory." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. that threaten you." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "But you have hopes?" waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into indeed happy." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I to me. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "Yes." "Yes." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "No, I think that I'll take it." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "And your mother is alive?" that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you rat could hardly pass through." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the From what you have told me I think that it is possible that news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." we went to search for him, face downward in a little "Well, some hundreds of times." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope roused himself from his reverie. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a good-night and bustled off upon her way. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "Can I be of assistance?" am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "The Cedars?" License. You must require such a user to return or "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." started for the Temple to see my husband. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left might help us?" "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. redistribution. strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our fire. You quite follow me?" matter." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, Miss Holder?" brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too way: partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I secret." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main and the colonel ushered me in. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal pierced for earrings?" swore that no one else had been in the front room during the the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered returning from some small jollification and was making his way we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this locked." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "But I am all in the dark." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "And how did he make his money?" right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "Ha! you find it so?" Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. to me. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each you in your example." placed his cuttings. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "At what time?" the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you only touch the interest." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in get her out of the way." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell distinguish the words: see a sister of mine apply for." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height,