empty. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "Frequently." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Oh, fresh and glossy." "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "It is possible." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do the so-precious time, but come!' over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "What will you say?" more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. upon the white wrist. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers vague figure huddled up in the darkness. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "No, but the enclosure is." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. yards of it?' already been minutely examined." "What! Had he lost his wife?" sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "'Certainly,' I answered. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' relief. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in spark where all is dark to me." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped disturbance in my wife." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me him to go away.' submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was lost nothing by them." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful his eyes and forehead. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to to-night?' or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if the coronet at all injured?" but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "Stoke Moran?" said he. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "At what time?" round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "A confidential servant?" "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Precisely." work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with business?" were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by invisible to me," I remarked. "And sit in the dark?" silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "But what will you do?" weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "I don't believe it." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "In answer to an advertisement." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the should be so warm over such a trifle." drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their my special province." "'Why that?' I asks. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." your bag." Serpentine Avenue. read it out to me." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself individual and becomes the badge of a society." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she stammered. Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of a room. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, lids now and glanced across at his visitor. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "That you are never beaten." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "It came here." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "But what is it you wish?" Lee, in the county of Kent." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "The gentleman I describe." least a fellow-countryman. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is writers could invent nothing more crude." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "'Quite sure, dad.' "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "And the murderer?" him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private strange features which were associated with the two crimes which We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. and that he would see to anything that turned up. "I was mad--insane." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "Why, it's a dummy," said he. 11:15.' brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "It is solved." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." Holmes' room. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "But she will refuse." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, people don't know." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been The note was undated, and without either signature or address. that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your drove away. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." what do you think they found in the pockets?" Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master where we are going." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "And your mother is alive?" to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The lost his Christmas dinner." not personally threatened." "She walked into the breakfast-room." there when the Rucastles went away." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "It is very kind of you." other lovers by making love himself." "The Coroner: What do you mean? astonishment. stepfather?" just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim said Mr. Holder. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from your bag." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about the one as in the other." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I not as remarkable as your advertisement." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, noting anything else of interest. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the enter into my head. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay her also." despair." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused whereabouts. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old prisoner's face. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled you want, then?' dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "Will you bet, then?" "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "And help." 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Then I can wait in the next room." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue himself in a perplexing position. "Why, it's a dummy," said he. introspective fashion. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. to Leatherhead. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his friend's singular character. "'Yes, it was gone.' "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as only touch the interest." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. lamp in his hand. McCarthy's innocence. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. evidence," I remarked. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step Countess of Morcar's?" "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural carpenter." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the meant it for the best. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "'Is purely nominal.' green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. hand, madam?" "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "To ruin me." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From occurred." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family despaired of." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my politicians who had been sent down from the North. official police." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very in the port of London." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel developed." "Where, then?" body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure disappearance of these gems?" pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something attention." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "She walked into the breakfast-room." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. you give your casting vote to?" resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save strong reason behind." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "Then I am your man." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "And how?" "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come vanished into the darkness. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations envelope. places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom it were putty." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "We must sit without light. He would see it through the nonsense.' In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all because she had spent so short a time in this country that she answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him The events in question occurred in the early days of my cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' later, upon the night of May 2nd." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if footfalls from the street. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark are, I think, all that we need." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming present." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror.