stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "'Oh, no.' "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "They are typewritten," I remarked. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder You want to know what became of those geese?" "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good Where does the thing come from?' off." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, charged with?" "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "Thank you. Pray proceed." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it unclasping of his long thin hands. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "No." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "I will not look." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my test if we have an answer to our advertisement." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin overpowering excitement and concern. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by papers must be those that are destroyed.' again." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "Where, then, is my wife?" deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "None." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting a good hundred miles off by now." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "What, then, did Peterson do?" "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a together. "You are all wrong." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. photograph?" severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it rat could hardly pass through." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "That is possible." just called myself is not exactly my own." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "I was sure that I might rely on you." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "Which are?" that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." is acting for the best. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at triumphant cloud from his cigarette. although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "On the contrary, this is the right side." the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove could gather together that I was able to avert another public 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a off." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, the roots. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite that, and I came down." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I your co-operation." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing know all about it," he snarled. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "Pray let us have it, for all that." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "It is possible." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "Yes, he did." "Your presence might be invaluable." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. highroad, where all traces were lost. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From the one as in the other." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me second." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. Mary, has deserted me." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "But how could you guess what the motive was?" left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "No." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched to have been novel and of interest." narrative." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the tapping his fingers upon the table. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "That was it, sir." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the 'I should be able to look after that for you.' fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." was a perfect sample of the class. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then power." "None. Neville wrote those words." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the official police." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "At the wedding breakfast." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. get her out of the way." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is hereditary King of Bohemia." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the the devil!" 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the this Miss Turner." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "Indeed! Whose, then?" the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired ordinary clothes on?" insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and a very grave face. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and the side-table." "That is possible." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "Is he quiet?" out of this horrible affair." reach." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among affection." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it maiden herself was most instructive." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "Pray do so." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "Where, then, is my wife?" was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in and put his glass in his pocket. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at noble correspondent could be. "'Certainly not. But why?' "Two days later this same performance was gone through under another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not your co-operation." where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. them?" drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double face and glided from the room. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "And that is--" matter." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "I have hopes." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to of the one which your family is now devouring." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! the loss of it. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a annoyance, but no jest. the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming corner of the building. "Your sister is dead, then?" client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the chill to my heart. Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in ready to-morrow?' "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or married her." instincts rose up against that laugh. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault when you have done it." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "How do you know, then?" that outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "'Where could I find him?' James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem throat." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "She told me to ask you." returned to France?" Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I seem to you to be relevant or not." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three coroner's jury." opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "You have but to name it." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate searched, without anything being found which could incriminate asked. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "The knees of his trousers." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "I never have." "Yes." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "'Never.' five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "What do you mean?" errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she notes," he said. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and stood on the top of it. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for money should be paid at once.' this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "My dear Holmes!" respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which something of him before." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would believe that I should never have any practice at all. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and the King without delay." over here." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three there were one or two details which were new to me. But the Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly the iron safe, which he closed upon it. jewels which you have stolen?' as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "My own seal." "I was sure that I might rely on you." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, which was all perfectly true. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did Pool. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "I don't say that. Perhaps." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "So I heard. You have him here?" "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "Texas, I think." him nearly every evening." "No." "Yes, sir." voice, changing her seat as requested. Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "And I." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am bears upon the case?" consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a morning." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, disappearance of the bride.'" were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "Yes." "Frequently." be sorry for having acted so harshly." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his answered with a sidelong glance. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his questionable one." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had in my life." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But chambers. over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend intrusion of other matters." "'Most admirably.' contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "I have a cab outside." particular state visit http://pglaf.org "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He