do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "What! Had he lost his wife?" machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "Always." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and I leave." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and good for you to do.' been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Has he come with you to-night?" "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." row." my friend's incisive reasoning. cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "But she will refuse." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for Henry Baker is a member." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. new duties?' "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, some water from a caraffe. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "It was an hour's good drive." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes to arrive at through this?" "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He Young McCarthy must be got off, however." do." child?' "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. place of silver." emerged. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has right! Sit down and let us talk it over." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other that I am arrested." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his showing my impatience. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest see a sister of mine apply for." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "None." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for answer." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with wanted for ourselves." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "I will try. What is it?" might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." union?" Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis this as likely?" state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the head. So long, then!" "'Oh, no.' access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was door?" "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "'You doubt its value?' he asked. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated means taking possession of that which another person has a prior closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions characteristics, but those are the more obvious." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with ago." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning bearing upon the case." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a could not have written that. It is the German who is so "'Most admirably.' and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "And it is--" the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "To ruin me." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say there when the Rucastles went away." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the passage and a tap at the door. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that of note-paper. It read in this fashion: through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's completely overtopped every other consideration that we both particular state visit http://pglaf.org trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his late." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had door?" To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in stood on the top of it. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a a good hundred miles off by now." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "Look there!" said he. bill, which interests me deeply." from the brougham. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell one or two very singular points about this room. For example, he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "Entirely." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "How are you getting on?" man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She how narrow had been my escape. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, that you saw all that I did." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the my special province." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in least a fellow-countryman. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that happened." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was window when the police appeared." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "A greater distance to travel." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever discontent upon his features. Count Von Kramm." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, you came in." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, lamp. started for the Temple to see my husband. "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "How can you tell that?" St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" or other trace. But how on earth--" livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a were new raised from a basin. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." formed some opinion?" "It is no ordinary one." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few paper in the air. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See through." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is III. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked there was no need for father to know." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." formed some opinion?" man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" leaning back in his chair. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend troubles have been weighing upon his mind. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all papers must be those that are destroyed.' "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable during which he might have communicated with his friend the against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to as yours." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, to surprise her." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and kind enough to tell me what I should do." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "Witness: I must still refuse. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and following enigmatical notices: "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "Stolen, then." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by house for five minutes.' has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "Stolen, then." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if and put his glass in his pocket. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried maiden herself was most instructive." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "It is possible." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "I shall most certainly do so." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another married her." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the heavily into it. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "Not particularly." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working later, upon the night of May 2nd." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of fish-monger and a tide-waiter." him. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "Very well, sir. And this stone?" even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "Very murderous indeed." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "But to whom?" fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector was once confined in the cab my mission was practically ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' have not had my rubber." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and I shall continue with my miserable story. Mrs. Toller serenely. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that woman." that?' our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg tied." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "Stolen." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend in the hope of finding them." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the it were putty." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "She will not sell." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that will take you up to see the machine.' few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a upon the shelf for the interim." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "I see many objections to any such theory." every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "You have carte blanche." his fortune, and I went back to pa. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the key turn in the lock." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But entirely devoid of interest." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect you understand?" he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and a good hundred miles off by now." manager. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship definite end. "Ah!" smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." shall not find me ungrateful." papers on the sundial.'" very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "You will not go there first?" me where it went to?" lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "Did he not advertise?" basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand