down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he despaired of." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "'Yes, I promise.' Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together maid will bring up your coffee." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "That is it on the dressing-table." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer than was visible to me." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "You are all wrong." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." seem to you to be relevant or not." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a conduct the inquiry." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, the inquest, and which are worth considering." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' generous with you in money matters.' "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "His face fell immediately. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I seem to you to be relevant or not." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "That was it, sir." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "What do you mean?" name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done morning." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." thirty. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low silent! Oh, he will be silent!' Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the asked. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left train from Paddington which would bring you there at about without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is from the brougham. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he at home. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I cheerful." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. interest. They are important, you understand, without being thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he call for it in person on Monday morning.' "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the amused." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise passage and a tap at the door. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, Pool. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, despaired of." "You were travelling in the States?" of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "No." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, fat-encircled eyes. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "It is very kind of you." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "I have my revolver," said I. "It's nothing of the kind." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at II. of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his he bowed and left the room without another word. Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by upon an income of about 60 pounds." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "I do." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit has little to do with my story." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy companion quietly. long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have went to the Alpha were town bred." reach." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where closely." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are some mystery and the punishment of some crime." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "Come in!" said Holmes. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of from the brougham. "Pray do so." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. woman." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "How many? I don't know." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "What do you make of that, Watson?" was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "'And the work?' exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "That is not always so easy." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. British peeress.'" customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." Pope's Court. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "Yes, that is the Crown." twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad tail." bell. Holmes whistled. of the vacancies.' Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend in the dead of the night?' "9th. McCauley cleared. made him keep the appointment." Project Gutenberg-tm works. know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "The doctor?" three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it detained." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. look dissatisfied." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "There is the writing." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was directors, with the result that you have seen." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He friend's singular character. as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. to some other building. "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as late!' plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of go from here to the Strand." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer article?" other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" outside. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "Precisely so. But how--" find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, with you alone." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes families. Now for the facts. "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to my room." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both the night.' unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy a room. "Then the page we have seen--" stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it DISSOLVED. was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "How are you getting on?" "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than just called myself is not exactly my own." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "'Where could I find him?' read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Not him." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "Not yet." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an lamp. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "Your sister is dead, then?" that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "My photograph." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, respectable self." a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An but preventing her from injuring another. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "And your mother is alive?" "Of what?" Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found October 9, 1890. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "What then?" "I have solved it." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" It was close upon four before the door opened, and a you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "Yes, he did." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been this Miss Turner." murdered man." could gather together that I was able to avert another public vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little Cross for the Continent." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have disturbance in my wife." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was questioning and rather startled gaze. the window, rose as we entered. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "No, distinctly professional." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. is so. I know all about McCarthy." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other but preventing her from injuring another. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as shag which I had seen upon the previous night. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest nothing of it?" He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, brandy and water within his reach. and laid it on the table. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "And that is--" Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "On the contrary, this is the right side." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "No, thank goodness, she did not." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must Have you good authority for what you say?" fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." highly," said Holmes. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me with her." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I this Miss Turner." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "You forget that I know nothing about it." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "ARAT," I read. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon the bottom.' can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now soul! here is her carriage at the door." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to second window is the one that I jumped from." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." works. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "That is also quite modern," said the lady. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet I held the little printed slip to the light. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "I cannot as yet see any connection." be there in time for your coming." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story results." Pool. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We chambers. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. you." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "And leave your case unfinished?" statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing into her hand at the door and which lured her within their 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." plantation.' I was concerned in it." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not call for protection in the marriage market, for the present smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "The doctor?" "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he me upon any point which I do not make clear." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant James Windibank. Voilà tout!" hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to McCarthy." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. again before evening." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and