"By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence believe that I should never have any practice at all. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "Yes." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have hour?' very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never and wait." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. them present such singular features as the strange train of nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive mystery." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "Texas, I think." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was room. at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." know what is wrong with it.' the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or beyond words. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "Then how many are there?" bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to you for a few hours?" trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at along the entire front of the house, with three long windows was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "You think that he is dead?" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "And who is her maid?" from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had friend's singular character. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I beg that you will break it off." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "But what will you do?" had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after said I. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes discontent upon his features. presented more singular features than that which was associated which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, back into the street. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a conversation I have gathered that they have been married about inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable nonsense.' Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' placed his cuttings. web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "I answered that I had not. enter into my head. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "How did that help you?" row." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, stepfather?" or other trace. But how on earth--" "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down upon the white wrist. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got trifles." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "'You cannot say what it was?' confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found this remarkable episode. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, he. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "She showed me, as I told you she would." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "What do you mean?" it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "But he might be a bachelor." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "'A dozen yards or so.' as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the room. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty upon an income of about 60 pounds." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. Count Von Kramm." one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with up this clue while it is still hot." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the morning." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the been able to understand it, in a very few words. me what he had done with the three missing stones. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "You did not overhear what they said?" beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "Thank you. Pray proceed." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "I would give my fortune to have them back." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles better grown goose." "That is unusual in a young girl." fait accompli?" Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at danger is over." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "That is unusual in a young girl." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "I fear not." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "Always." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "But she could not love him." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it shoulder. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "Then he might have called to you?" right! Sit down and let us talk it over." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much suspect him." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. asked. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into me. You must get home instantly and act." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just kind enough to tell me what I should do." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, it. round with crates and massive boxes. have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "And you can do nothing until then?" give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "That's no good." individual and becomes the badge of a society." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps I held the little printed slip to the light. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the foot. "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the green of the new foliage. that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "And how have you succeeded?" clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." my friend's incisive reasoning. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "Murdered?" started for the Temple to see my husband. concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, persecution?" hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered breakfast?" we went to search for him, face downward in a little "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "I have come for advice." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of and effective." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been asked. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I chamber." the house with me." the coronet at all injured?" "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for thin, with a long, sharp nose?" to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every shag which I had seen upon the previous night. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "I shall most certainly do so." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "'What are you doing there?' he asked. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us fat-encircled eyes. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "Frequently." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "Did you observe the colour?" to that open window." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor do.' his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against intrusion of other matters." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk and all of them with the keenest interest. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect of this gang." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "It was." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly nothing with him." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to see a sister of mine apply for." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet and laid it on the table. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or straightened it out again. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "One?" Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. you." "An enemy?" them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from which I could not give. He asked for Alice. and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "Yes." certainly do as you advise." again before evening." besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "10th. John Swain cleared. "Have you it here?" gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly despaired of." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "Deserted you?" "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a depend upon my doing so.' believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to foot. compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "Whose house is it?" "And who is her maid?" are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not passage and a tap at the door. sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "A call for help, you thought?" seven miles from Eyford Station.' us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, emerged. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "What! Had he lost his wife?" window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "Where did you address your letters, then?" that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming my secret was safe in his possession. "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked lumber-room." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my I held the little printed slip to the light. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off bird of prey. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. is so. I know all about McCarthy." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "I never have." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a dramatic, in fact."