Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who troubles have been weighing upon his mind. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "'There is a drive, then?' signal between you and your father? Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by habit of advancing money.' he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and digesting their breakfasts at home." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss stood on the top of it. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five noise which awoke you from your sleep?" which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." might have a private word with us. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." she to prove their authenticity?" gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room people in all walks of life. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler the morning and make my own way in the world.' was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the your troubles." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, bare slabs of marble. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "'And what salary do you ask?' me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they a room. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "And the cigar-holder?" "Not I." should be so warm over such a trifle." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "And how did you find out?" to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall highly," said Holmes. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We question," said Holmes, smiling. Literary Archive Foundation more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel three fields round his house, and there he would take his resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" me what he had done with the three missing stones. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "It goes to the housekeeper's room." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "'Then let me do so?' "Who by?" "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." was keenly on my guard against him. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking three of the beryls in it, was missing. and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out heavy and sharp instrument." God! What an exposure! What can I do?" certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "Certainly, madam." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and are windows in it, of course?" colonel looking down at me. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. the window, rose as we entered. "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste were unconscious?" surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without beyond words. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "Nor running a chance of arrest?" usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in you understand?" the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that beyond words. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "You did not overhear what they said?" "Dark enough and sinister enough." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "What can it mean?" I gasped. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to where she found matters as described by the last witness. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of galvanised. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my question," said Holmes, smiling. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "I should wish to." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was himself to hunt down. peculiar to him. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to and glanced through. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had sound at heart." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "A call for help, you thought?" "I should wish to." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the the child." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never the south-west, I see." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "She told me to ask you." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm vanished into the darkness. spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond to-night?" I asked. "Who was the criminal, then?" "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of enough to aid us in our search." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I legal crime." family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "You are all wrong." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "You did not overhear what they said?" "Holmes, the busybody!" had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies legal crime." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I constraint." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him business?" wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "Could he throw no light?" I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Nothing." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be would then never go into court at all." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and she slowly sank and died without having recovered her your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "Yes, certainly." showing my impatience. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to national property. I was determined that the law should have its her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low The telegram which we eventually received came late one night have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "None." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "You think so, too?" us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your advice." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter Pope's Court. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included memory. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than suspect him." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." strange features which were associated with the two crimes which interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the prepare for the new role I have to play." together. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "She showed me, as I told you she would." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. very old mansion. "He is still with you, I presume?" "None." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "I assure you that I am in your hands." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "What do you make of that, Watson?" saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies allusion to a rat. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, best detective that ever lived. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" her also." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "And Miss Sutherland?" help us in this matter." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote burst out into a roar of laughter. address. http://www.gutenberg.net electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set results." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect any." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, back into the street. trifles." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" was it brought him the coronet? reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the certainly do as you advise." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" been deceived." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the the window, rose as we entered. village inn over there?" recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and think that he is innocent?" "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more system of imprisonment?" relation between them, and what the object of his repeated have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door outbreak?" "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler to-night?' Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter himself in a perplexing position. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "Certainly." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, future lives." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his the night.' round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who new duties?' the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who I. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of written. the Assizes." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is so.' Eyford at 11:15.' next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "Of what day?" space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your crime." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "But how?" in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" it? Did I buy the geese off you?" for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "I will get her to show me." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's to take care of herself." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could his grey eyes. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "At half-wages, in fact." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during Dr. Gregory B. Newby "Were they all fastened this morning?" buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' the inner apartment." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I hurried by. about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted swore that no one else had been in the front room during the to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right bachelor.' "And now?" I asked. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable business." think you a quite exceptional woman." "I don't believe it." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the Gutenberg-tm License. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "Have you it here?" "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I how narrow had been my escape. and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." I shall continue with my miserable story. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "She will not sell." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" other, as fresh and trim as possible. http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was putting in the horse. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out