was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of business?" necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "10th. John Swain cleared. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "'Why that?' I asks. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "Certainly." tell them apart.' very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "Did you observe the colour?" and effective." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an records." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the could go. "But it has twice been burgled." there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "No." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard the tragedy. overpowering excitement and concern. "I have hopes." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" there." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, of." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated my special province." think that any burglar could have done. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute read it out to me." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than voice. "What is it?" the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle highly," said Holmes. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "If I can be of use." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are would then never go into court at all." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "Ah!" am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at stalked out of the room. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried soul! here is her carriage at the door." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel and put his glass in his pocket. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "Entirely." my secret was safe in his possession. and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, his grey eyes. Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds undoubtedly my uncle's." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "Nothing?" salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to events, Mr. Windibank!" about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "It is possible." "In answer to an advertisement." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "What! You do not mean bodies?" "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I excitement. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. asked with his eyes open. time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique in your London, you will know that the office of the company is Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me tail." do." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the present strange and interesting features that it is no easy advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something constraint." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken as he remarks, very much against the son." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the what do you think they found in the pockets?" which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He this man was intellectual?" It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works intimate personal affairs in this public manner." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary over with notes and figures. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "It is a murder, then?" whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "And how have you succeeded?" best detective that ever lived. "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "What do you mean?" "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "Really! You surprise me." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still to you." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. a good hundred miles off by now." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper which it had come upon my father." "He disappeared so suddenly." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "Your sister is dead, then?" What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of were new raised from a basin. "At the wedding breakfast." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, status with the IRS. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his events than those which have happened in my own family." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, straightened it out again. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the way in." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove see me here to avoid scandal." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It soul! here is her carriage at the door." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great it were putty." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade redistribution. "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, unkempt, staring out at me. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and said he. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of ceremony." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "That is unusual in a young girl." However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I there." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are was shining brightly. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her way in everything. "'Certainly not. But why?' Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little what I may call a really hard day's work." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any front of the hall door has given its name to the place. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns ways of our fellow-men." tension within him. "You have but to name it." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" way: prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "My dear Holmes!" ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "We have tried and failed." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of seven miles from Eyford Station.' very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "I have my revolver," said I. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "He is still with you, I presume?" these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "He disappeared so suddenly." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining extraordinary contortions. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done young Openshaw's." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have Does that suggest anything?" midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself waste of energy." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "Which surely he restored to their owner?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or washing it down with a long draught of water. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." whether it answered to the description of any of their pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "She walked into the breakfast-room." strode off upon his way. "Yes." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every asked with his eyes open. clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "'And what salary do you ask?' meanly of me." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless second window is the one that I jumped from." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If had picked up in the wood. always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "But not more so than I to find you." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I wall." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know stalked out of the room. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and conclusions. and looked back. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "You have the photograph?" and the church but not where the lady lived." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who presented more singular features than that which was associated Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "No." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen yards of it?' that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "Entirely." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "But it has twice been burgled." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so interest. They are important, you understand, without being http://gutenberg.net/license). It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a waste of energy." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with said I. shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "So I am. Very much so." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "No, thank goodness, she did not." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "How did that help you?" of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in detained." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" This is what he says: "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having to take care of herself." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "I say that I have solved it." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "The gentleman I describe." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his held up the lantern and gazed about him. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must least a fellow-countryman. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt taking in every detail of the apartment. observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "Tired-looking or fresh?" "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle use an arc-and-compass breastpin." will be renamed. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not considering the formidable letters which were received by himself recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United felt?" donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried kind enough to tell me what I should do." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we The King stared at him in amazement. To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." assist you in forming an opinion." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day read over the extraordinary announcement. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. had died away into the silence from which it rose. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, and wait." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "But we can't all be." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "It came here." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "Perfectly so." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." pictures, libraries, or plate. sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit there were so many in the whole country as were brought together International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "It's nothing of the kind." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "That was it, sir." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps young Openshaw's." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "'Is 4 pounds a week.' but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "The murder was done with it." "Entirely." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was weigh very heavily upon my conscience." directors, with the result that you have seen." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was over with notes and figures. and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us anything to do with the matter?" Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to to have that photograph." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my For additional contact information: cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." detective. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the upon an income of about 60 pounds." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the