that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it one of them." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught everything which you would wish to know." gentleman's clothes. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a off." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer approach us with offers to donate. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." was not a bird to be seen there. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we III. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "My opinion is in no way altered." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when meant it for the best. written, and locked the door of the office after me. "'Entirely.' conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my know that the truth is known." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must prisoner's face. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. III. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, singular points about the case. What did the police think of the passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him in the port of London." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the light and attacked it." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "And how did he make his money?" take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she DISSOLVED. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "And did you observe any change in her then?" Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young photograph?" thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while and have this put in the evening papers." "The gentleman I describe." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several morning." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "Not him." you do it in twenty minutes!' Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared outside." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow attention." you." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything again on its way. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to not come at once?" word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you tension within him. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "But you can know nothing of this?" compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "How on earth--" return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them me have 200 pounds?' had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "How did that help you?" him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause arrested. You then--" It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. weighed down with some great anxiety. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "At what time?" "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is recall any case within my experience which looked at the first I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for which we had just quitted. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "Then he might have called to you?" "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "She told me to ask you." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced dramatic, in fact." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "But who is he?" "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were joking. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "There are none." the bed, and you in that chair." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and light and attacked it." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "Yes, he did." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the away into the river." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." whether it answered to the description of any of their and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "Pray let us have it, for all that." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "Then the page we have seen--" rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "I don't say that. Perhaps." conduct the inquiry." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." DAMAGE. records." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which to talk it over. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, my little problems." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, details should find their way into the papers. Inspector he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the to have been novel and of interest." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "Yes, only one." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. Again Holmes raved in the air. "It is possible." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I upon the white wrist. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the James Windibank. Voilà tout!" the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a this poor creature." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his some terrible trap for her." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in you." "It is solved." anything to do with the matter?" opened a pocket-book and took out a note. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "Well, some hundreds of times." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." locked." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant salesman. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical written, and locked the door of the office after me. that the gas is not laid on in his house?" would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "But how will you look?" instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "But his lameness?" "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Then I am your man." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "Your presence might be invaluable." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong companion. "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated time." "Yes, sir." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all tell him that I know him to be innocent." more solid." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, later, upon the night of May 2nd." "What are they?" called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be burst out into a roar of laughter. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "Have you her photograph?" rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There to have that photograph." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "It is very clear." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed chill to my heart. "No more words. Get out!" "And who is her maid?" have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at it were putty." closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the than to us. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "Of what?" value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "Did your wife hear all this?" labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "I am sure." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little you for a few hours?" "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare the coronet in his hands?" "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "What!" he roared. sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Yes." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner signal between you and your father? "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "How about poison?" be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on me. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down once more for Briony Lodge. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a most important business. It is probable that he will be away all He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "When did she vanish, then?" anything to do with the matter?" tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, to-night?" I asked. "Where, then, is my wife?" Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I Serpentine Avenue. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance client, rising. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What have been better. It is all right." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl looking up at the numbers of the houses." I approached. papers must be those that are destroyed.' elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon one of the states of the Union." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, everything which you would wish to know." This is what he says: myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "'What then?' I asked. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies undoubtedly my uncle's." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" there in twenty minutes." "We have tried and failed." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my asked. Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if fire. You quite follow me?" and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. highroad, where all traces were lost. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling until night should bring an explanation. returned to France?" "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "Pray let us have it, for all that." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. death." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. fact, we may call it conclusive." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." McCarthy's innocence. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. and laid it on the table. are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as the bed, and you in that chair." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to Sutherland. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "How did he come?" "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook October 9, 1890. International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the have got?" states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had to change my dress. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing Munro.' out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the strode off upon his way. "I was afraid that you were engaged." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in country, and eventually married, without anyone having a direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "You have it, sir, just as it happened." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation