strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry lost his Christmas dinner." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "Thank you. And your address?" and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the becomes even more simple." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have sparkled upon his finger. and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "And I." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect little adventures." grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What it. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "She walked into the breakfast-room." carriage. It was a chestnut." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "'Oh, no.' was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, Watson," he said cordially. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged nothing of it?" "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery my friend's incisive reasoning. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the Does that suggest anything?" "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable developed." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version spark where all is dark to me." vanished into the darkness. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps to his chemical studies. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He article?" even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, which was all perfectly true. Serpentine Avenue. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned sound at heart." possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "Then you may be so with me." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "'Yes, sir.' into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their in his power. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have newspaper selections." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his envelope. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "Thank you. And your address?" then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "'Not at all. I only doubt--' The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in to surprise her." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite You want to know what became of those geese?" business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up vanished into the darkness. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such one or two very singular points about this room. For example, bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were tightly behind him. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg you in yours." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "I assure you that I am in your hands." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "That you are never beaten." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the Again Holmes raved in the air. learned something! Where are the gems?" rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The thought that she would have been so carried away." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I you." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any as the one I chose?' are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project she might be summoned. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become was not a bird to be seen there. of a light. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should know what is wrong with it.' "Then you may be so with me." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "Which are?" "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him she to prove their authenticity?" "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a that about. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the derbies." "You have compromised yourself seriously." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon of Mr. Rucastle's." "It goes to the housekeeper's room." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of tied." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed affection." "Have you her photograph?" be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of passage and a tap at the door. building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" wanted for ourselves." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "I think it very unlikely." "9th. McCauley cleared. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the hour?' part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of from the brougham. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "I will try. What is it?" "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "'What, the red-headed man?' parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about national property. I was determined that the law should have its quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just there were so many in the whole country as were brought together arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, points to suicide?" have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were Cross for the Continent." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent undoubtedly my uncle's." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and empty. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I nonsense.' I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us something of him before." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with to miss it." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "Was the window open?" "Yes." "'And the work?' it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon morning." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "Upon what point?" from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing emerged. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "The Coroner: What do you mean? "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "My dear Holmes!" "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "I think that I had better go, Holmes." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the outsides of the windows. step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly it." tapping his fingers upon the table. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "Where to?" to a light-house. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I you." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. used to be." to-night's adventure." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand minor matters until to-morrow." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "Nothing." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." time." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to new acquaintance to Baker Street. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in foresight and the moral retrogression?" clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent I have it here in my museum." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate problems help me to do so." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "Pray be precise as to details," said he. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "Imitated." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a tell me that you intended to go into harness." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two than was visible to me." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! The summons was a brief and urgent one. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant look dissatisfied." vanished into the darkness. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "No sign of it?" trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "I cannot say that I have." severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "Perhaps we may make them less so." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper train.' dear old homesteads?" husband's writing, madam." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "Where to?" reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of questionable one." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then get the tickets." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and breakfast and whispered something to her husband. three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. will take you up to see the machine.' upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with will not take me long to tell. hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion shadow pass over his face as I spoke. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. there in twenty minutes." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." Cross for the Continent." bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a kind enough to tell me what I should do." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her,