enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been for and were ordered to this address. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "Yes." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I bears upon the case?" had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "And you thought he was pulled back?" when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "I was certainly surprised to find you there." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "Were they all fastened this morning?" pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as your most interesting statement." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the read it out to me." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have The events in question occurred in the early days of my skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, impression behind it as though a window had gently closed as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular of the one which your family is now devouring." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a Holmes' room. "Yes, sir." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' and all of them with the keenest interest. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for depend upon my doing so.' shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "A greater distance to travel." full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said even of instruction." decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "Yes, at the mines." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the wife's character?" "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Can I be of assistance?" back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if second." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working upon an income of about 60 pounds." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he passage and a tap at the door. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of open." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing away in different directions, and I went off to make my own was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior occurred." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was murdered man." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped intrusion of other matters." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the the dangers which encompass me." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have forehead. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "Then he might have called to you?" the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "By train from Waterloo." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" conceal it?" "The decline of his fortunes, then?" trying to your nerves." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think there is a decided draught." himself. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There putting in the horse. gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I there were one or two details which were new to me. But the well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, been anything against him. He had for years been known as a free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "Dr. Becher's." direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to directors, with the result that you have seen." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "To an end?" desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece strength of mind to control. opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Never to return." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "What have you done?" asked Holmes. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" prison!" "I beg pardon." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "Yes." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' been deceived." death." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, of a light. this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with present strange and interesting features that it is no easy treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of London for the present?" others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened head. So long, then!" knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, from the brougham. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his breakfast?" "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "And from a noble client?" comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "At the wedding breakfast." silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on daring than any effort of the imagination." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington to-night." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if I nodded to show that I had heard. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "Yes, it was twisted." despaired of." of the vacancies.' to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "The vanishing of the lady." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving all-comprehensive glances. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the families. Now for the facts. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "Oh, yes, easily." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as examination of the premises, but without finding anything which one's self under obligations.' Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me out of this horrible affair." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "'It is locked up,' I answered. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, again, where I was soon asleep. coat-tails." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I status with the IRS. business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser in a very precise fashion." he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would McCarthy's innocence. "You have compromised yourself seriously." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his directors, with the result that you have seen." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at not, dad?" she asked. felt the room to be a little close.' "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise up this clue while it is still hot." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three note?" to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony sneer upon his pale face. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know and put his glass in his pocket. "I was mad--insane." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one cigars in the box." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." thought that she would have been so carried away." at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." himself to tell his story. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your unprecedented a position." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as once more to my work. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there the little opening for the ventilator is." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Was the window open?" the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "What is it?" squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "The Cedars?" formed some opinion?" characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "Ha! you find it so?" strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." awaited us upon the table. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight speckled band?" sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the returned to France?" "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "The knees of his trousers." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "No. What a strange idea!" dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" Street. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who not fit the lock." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he waste of energy." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may his grey eyes. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "Entirely." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled Surrey." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "That's no good." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "I cannot tell." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without done what I asked you, Jones?" fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which taking in every detail of the apartment. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to shoulder. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home maiden herself was most instructive." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "Yes, it would be as well." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office my former friend and companion. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation that I am arrested." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you next day. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "9th. McCauley cleared. Stoke Moran." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" to a more successful conclusion." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the should be taken.' well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock electronic works chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "'Very good.' "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered