lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." http://gutenberg.net/license). other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over important." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank fact, we may call it conclusive." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." Arthur Conan Doyle but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to means taking possession of that which another person has a prior Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I heavily into it. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "Not yet." "Yes." "About a month then." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round Miss Holder?" arrested. You then--" said I. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I into the bag, and made for the door. manager. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which me upon any point which I do not make clear." "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "Certainly." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his murdered man." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the matter." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the detective. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "Precisely." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." for its centre. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "No more words. Get out!" observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' fluttered off among the others. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as cigars in the box." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "Here?" her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "'Which dealer's?' "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That Mary, has deserted me." them?" the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. you?" "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account through." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I out." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' round with crates and massive boxes. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "I was mad--insane." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of characteristics, but those are the more obvious." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "Then, as to money?" footfalls from the street. newspaper selections." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. call it cruel." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his voice. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it be sorry for having acted so harshly." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "The vanishing of the lady." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "When did she vanish, then?" finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was crowd. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "'Ten to two.' more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had highly," said Holmes. remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! spare." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this his face which made him a very different person to the round, to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "Dirty?" had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "Pray be precise as to details," said he. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then a good hundred miles off by now." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "'Yes, sir.' with you?" you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "Yes, it would be as well." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. of it with the greatest attention. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but bears upon the case?" flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery observed. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "I think it very unlikely." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin child?' Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in just called myself is not exactly my own." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of upon the sideboard." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." dead, shall be safe with us." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was kind enough to tell me what I should do." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, Cross for the Continent." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his Have you good authority for what you say?" me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "The Coroner: What do you mean? I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "'Is purely nominal.' blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon and it need not interfere very much with one's other from you?" "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "This photograph!" while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of thought that she would have been so carried away." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "And I to find an enemy." points to suicide?" said he. this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "And I say east," said my patient. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "Very murderous indeed." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of individual and becomes the badge of a society." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a possible that we could bring him back to her? that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments definite end. them?" "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "Stolen, then." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." appeared upon the scene." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his front of me. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "What then?" "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. floor. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of passage and a tap at the door. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "But it has twice been burgled." furiously. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of points to suicide?" very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother cigar and let me expound." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The beyond words. be there in time for your coming." already referred to. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." leaning back in his chair. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant hurried by. strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "No good news?" "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was with frightened eyes at his accuser. if only as a check to my own memory." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "I fear not." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little lectures into a series of tales." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming round and wave him away like that.' accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. absorbing." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "Very much so." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that This is what he says: "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as fuss that is made over them." was keenly on my guard against him. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be existence." "I do." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, this as likely?" agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to The note was undated, and without either signature or address. to some other building. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are John Swain, of St. Augustine. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Then, as to money?" "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "And from a noble client?" there was no need for father to know." "Imitated." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could hour?' garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "'Why that?' I asks. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my outbreak?" "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my national property. I was determined that the law should have its mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him do." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "Yes, from Horsham." "Never to return." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "No, I had a dozen." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "Then the page we have seen--" still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "That is it on the dressing-table." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "And the cigar-holder?" after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You useful material for showing traces. The double line a little question," said Holmes, smiling. "I was sure that I might rely on you." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a voice, changing her seat as requested. strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's read over the extraordinary announcement. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "Precisely so. But how--" "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "'Is purely nominal.' Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the on re-entering her father's house?" Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate definite end. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic know what is wrong with it.' "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He over here." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing Henry Baker is a member." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "Of what day?" "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, this as likely?" upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. your sleep?'