"Well." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with roused himself from his reverie. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had Holmes' face clouded over. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the empty. lost nothing by them." the Assizes." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay It may be so in this case, also." feature." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "It may not come to that," said Holmes. with frightened eyes at his accuser. people don't know." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would present." you give your casting vote to?" boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a at my own good fortune. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "How can you tell that?" that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "On Monday." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the until night should bring an explanation. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be allusion to a rat. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Breckinridge is his name." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. assist you in forming an opinion." With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded or other trace. But how on earth--" trifles." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "Oh, fresh and glossy." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. strength." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered The note was undated, and without either signature or address. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my the ceiling. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but do.' ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one whatever might befall. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the to miss it." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' persecution?" conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Then I am your man." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home retorted upon me, and I on you." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that are, I think, all that we need." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. will not take me long to tell. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "Her father is very rich?" our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main friend's singular character. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real look upon these things in a different way." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "Of what?" dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "I fear not." flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and the inquest, and which are worth considering." depend upon my doing so.' "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "He slept on the premises." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was I held the little printed slip to the light. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a round with crates and massive boxes. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "I have a cab outside." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the taking in every detail of the apartment. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' other, as fresh and trim as possible. window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly door?" "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after sufficient punishment." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the was shining brightly. be there in time for your coming." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "Nearly eleven." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its him!" the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a was a loud and authoritative tap. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "Dark enough and sinister enough." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress already referred to. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six read over the extraordinary announcement. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a to a light-house. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would his forehead." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend one else, I think." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then awaited us upon the table. meant it for the best. His smile broadened. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun gbnewby@pglaf.org one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and Foundation "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "You have a clue?" "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "I do." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "But you would not advise me to refuse?" The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was upon an income of about 60 pounds." the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes do." "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over empty. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" answered with a sidelong glance. "Where is it, then?" Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are The King stared at him in amazement. foresight and the moral retrogression?" forbidden door. Clair, of Lee." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out nights." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's feature." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the several quiet little villages up there." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "Yes." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "Not I." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age of this gang." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "On your arm?" His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to himself to hunt down. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and your own bird, so if you wish--" "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it James Windibank. Voilà tout!" his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the you in yours." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous key of the affair now." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "Very murderous indeed." waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "Well, but China?" "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith his forehead." Surrey." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His Literary Archive Foundation "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution ceremony." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "And from a noble client?" the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." assist you in forming an opinion." "When did she vanish, then?" houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "The landlord of the Alpha." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on details." "'Yes, I promise.' sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "You have a clue?" there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "Bought." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to morning." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "We must have a cab." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "There are none." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective of the efforts of the United States government and of the better purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but will take you up to see the machine.' crime." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "How did you trace it, then?" "Was your sister dressed?" furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. them?" to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "That sounds a little paradoxical." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "And when will you call?" the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "I think it very unlikely." astonishment. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a God! What an exposure! What can I do?" Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an before, for it was considerably after midnight. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which in a very precise fashion."