and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "But to whom?" your equipment. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would interests were the same as his." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "I cannot as yet see any connection." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "You have but to name it." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists writing, and yet I know it well." occupations.' "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties completely overtopped every other consideration that we both But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in there in twenty minutes." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "Did your wife hear all this?" and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to been able to understand it, in a very few words. The events in question occurred in the early days of my enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "It is his hat." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "Did he not advertise?" appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. annoyance, but no jest. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was father's young wife. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "That is it on the dressing-table." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few already been minutely examined." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the my secret was safe in his possession. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and away in different directions, and I went off to make my own fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for events than those which have happened in my own family." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain one else, I think." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But sufficient punishment." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? second window is the one that I jumped from." Holmes rather sternly. headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." to affect your life." spark where all is dark to me." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing to-morrow." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a chance at all." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a will find little credit to be gained out of this case." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "You horrify me!" locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than sparkled upon his finger. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Only as much as we can deduce." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody gone before you can get him to hospital." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "You think so, too?" "No, I think that I'll take it." character. discontent upon his features. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "No, I am descending." "Yes." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. newspaper selections." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "'I have already given you my word.' still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "I was certainly surprised to find you there." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I house for five minutes.' "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "Yes, sir." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand comes from the middle window." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "Eh? What was that?" "No, but the enclosure is." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess http://gutenberg.net/license). "I was sure that I might rely on you." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and to a light-house. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss photograph?" and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and never to learn it at all." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, evidence," I remarked. her also." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "It surprised me." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed amused." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the long narrative. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was him and tried to hold him back. time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "I say it is." have not had my rubber." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Where is it, then?" rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came the one as in the other." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some results." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." his fortune, and I went back to pa. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have paper in the air. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "He is still with you, I presume?" home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when ready to-morrow?' "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he had picked up in the wood. "Then, how do you know?" across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "Then I do not see the point." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "But you were on a friendly footing?" just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" to have been novel and of interest." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Which are?" "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon official police." will he say when he returns?" stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his bearing upon the case." in the dead of the night?' my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried you in your example." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train Cross for the Continent." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" searched, without anything being found which could incriminate hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "You will not go there first?" drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "Yes." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap friend's singular character. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all business in the City. She little knew what. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the death." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "There are none." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "Quite so." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the the matter." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a Holmes." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' of Fenchurch Street." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have recover the gem." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to Holmes. in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was other, as fresh and trim as possible. that threaten you." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and and effective." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "Well." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "He slept on the premises." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do Holmes." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "I say it is." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and his face. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of off." 11:15.' has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "Really! You surprise me." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is know that the truth is known." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "I don't believe it." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "Dr. Becher's." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of impression behind it as though a window had gently closed only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her certainly do as you advise." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel that he will be back before evening." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "It is a murder, then?" some terrible trap for her." affection." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "I cannot imagine." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five one else, I think." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "Where, indeed?" I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the might have a private word with us. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in appointment with me for six o'clock?" Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with garden below. "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon call for protection in the marriage market, for the present I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, and put his glass in his pocket. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "It was." Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your from the brougham. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler obstinate." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept certainly do as you advise." would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "I was certainly surprised to find you there." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, until night should bring an explanation. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. was shining brightly. "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you from you?" "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture been." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a to-night?' painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" carpenter." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far should be taken.' "It looks newer than the other things?" Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. corner of the building. "'What, the red-headed man?' of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "We were both in the photograph." families. Now for the facts. there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "My own seal." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "'Is 4 pounds a week.' at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid present strange and interesting features that it is no easy hardly wander." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to believe that I should never have any practice at all. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond whereabouts. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall one of them." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or you?' the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from ourselves in the office." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were eavesdroppers?' and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "I should be immensely obliged to you." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever.