"That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." through." essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. mysterious end." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "What have you done?" asked Holmes. upon the sideboard." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "I beg pardon." have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually status with the IRS. matter." quite distinctive." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "You forget that I know nothing about it." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew status with the IRS. conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "I assure you that I am in your hands." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "I say that I have solved it." have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "Why, what do you mean?" it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works place no limit on the sum I may draw." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "But what harm can there be in that?" considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "'Most admirably.' girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of of fine shops and stately business premises that they really rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "And now?" He raised his hand. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "The rest you will leave in our hands." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am Holmes rather sternly. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to Holmes." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided frequently gained my first real insight into the character of hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which License. You must require such a user to return or perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. own family. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "Game for a morning drive?" what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "No, finished." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one upon the sideboard." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be in this note: idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by quick march!" "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "What will you do, then?" was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case should be taken.' galvanised. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow himself in a perplexing position. Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to Eyford at 11:15.' applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature Doctor, of the paper and the date." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to visitors." them, and came down just as you departed. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! not come at once?" "Nothing." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." one of them." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "She will not sell." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with information in his hands the value of which he did not himself remarked. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance strength." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I the tragedy. over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." annoyance, but no jest. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "Eh? What was that?" heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was information in his hands the value of which he did not himself platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "I shall be delighted." "In answer to an advertisement." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that works. See paragraph 1.E below. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the and I shall be with you presently." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "Precisely." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. at my remark. papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand in this way: that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of about here speaks of his kindness to him." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it peculiar to him. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I Where does the thing come from?' drawing your inferences." enter into my head. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. too. "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "Only as much as we can deduce." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and noting anything else of interest. "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime not, dad?" she asked. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you which our visitor detailed to us. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be hour?' police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "It surprised me." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the my former friend and companion. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. extraordinary contortions. looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out this as likely?" through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in should be taken.' "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. fat-encircled eyes. glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the in my life." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. it were putty." present." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "Then, how do you know?" of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us was the fact that his father should, according to his account, knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and like that before?" "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers and that he would see to anything that turned up. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp I think that I could be of assistance to you." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. what is your own theory as to what took place?" and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his Young McCarthy must be got off, however." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "Look there!" said he. constraint." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people of the one which your family is now devouring." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than to talk it over. layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "The gentleman I describe." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were it." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that and wait." lost nothing by them." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "But his lameness?" into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" the very morning of the wedding." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "Witness: It was. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, with some details as to your case." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Then the page we have seen--" remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "Yes, but only for you and me." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that with you alone." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at sooner or later she must fall a victim. the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence gone. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "Quite so. She has her freedom." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from Lestrade of Scotland Yard." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "I am sure." allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "By all means." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "I was afraid that you were engaged." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "Where to?" for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "Why serious?" off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never man. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from was shining brightly. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "No." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of the best of training." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. matter." "What?" set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "No?" dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are as he folded up the epistle. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "How about poison?" then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "Certainly, madam." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come closely." than was visible to me." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "I was sure that I might rely on you." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "'Is purely nominal.' dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "My dear Holmes!" "None." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." to tackle the facts." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" was it brought him the coronet? he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again tell him that I know him to be innocent." way in." call it cruel." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were eat it." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "I saw her in conversation with her maid." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very did not hear it also.' a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "I cannot as yet see any connection." "That also I could fathom." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that acquaintance?" condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "At what time?" Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere guilty parties." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but