weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. observed. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't had formerly been in part my own. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "And from a noble client?" explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who instincts rose up against that laugh. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country has little to do with my story." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." cigars in their mouths. strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or British peeress.'" would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "What will you do, then?" in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "ARAT," I read. "No." key turn in the lock." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "None. Neville wrote those words." for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "I think that it is very probable." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "It came here." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight During two years I have had three consultations and one small "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "Where, indeed?" superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, recall any case within my experience which looked at the first few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "But she will refuse." evidence," I remarked. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "I shall be delighted." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to habit of advancing money.' "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "Absolutely?" "But how did you gain them?" A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know said I. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay have accepted such a situation. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. shoulder. instituted." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." himself. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "Pray continue your narrative." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat tension within him. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. His name is Francis Prosper." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he stood on the top of it. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are this Miss Turner." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "And why in hopes?" not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another never came back." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "It is no ordinary one." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet asked with his eyes open. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "That is not always so easy." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "I am in hopes that she does." it with his own hands." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "So I heard. You have him here?" cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from to-night?' him." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to business came to an end." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his what is your own theory as to what took place?" applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice fat-encircled eyes. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' to tackle the facts." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and crowd. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when at my remark. To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your of this gang." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my in this way: I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul and the church but not where the lady lived." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour the very morning of the wedding." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "This photograph!" reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out meant." asked with his eyes open. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "When did it break out?" had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "No, I think that I'll take it." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for for and were ordered to this address. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but used to be." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "I cannot imagine." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been certainly not very gracious." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." delirious. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I Street. tied." "'Very good.' "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can prove to be little relation between the different incidents of few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a considering the formidable letters which were received by himself imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the the iron safe, which he closed upon it. customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "'And the work?' it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent not, dad?" she asked. them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was deduce something from that?" perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was with some details as to your case." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "I am in hopes that she does." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "Look there!" said he. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, were unconscious?" "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger the side-table." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, The note was undated, and without either signature or address. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It children over to America with him, so that I found myself without man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly The events in question occurred in the early days of my then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in everything which you would wish to know." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "One of his hands." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "Yes, sir." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. grasp, he hurried from the room. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "Where did he live, then?" "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue think you a quite exceptional woman." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two o'clock is it?" business?" "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, mystery." this man was intellectual?" have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "And you don't know his address?" in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an letters?" strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. Again Holmes raved in the air. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "Yes. He waved his hands." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "And your mother is alive?" undoubtedly my uncle's." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in already referred to. "Will you go?" "Yes?" whole matter to your consideration." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away points in connection with it which never have been, and probably upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain my room." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" fatally injured? "We were both in the photograph." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it business at Coburg Square is serious." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, did not hear it also.' what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "No." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. read over the extraordinary announcement. "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "By no means." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some to you." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "They are typewritten," I remarked. father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "I am still in the dark." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It empty. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. his cane at the bell-pull. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. depend upon your compliance." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against noting anything else of interest. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you would then never go into court at all." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "The Cedars?" "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should wedding?" refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." to-morrow." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and Eyford." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this papers on the sundial.'" you." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Why did you beat the pavement?" "Not in a good cause." "No, I had a dozen." the Red-headed League." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his works. See paragraph 1.E below. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "And why?" handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such