waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "It is true that I have been generally successful." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen that he will be back before evening." his forehead." You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of hands. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "But his lameness?" savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few chemical work which was so dear to him. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "And how did you verify them?" "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that to have been novel and of interest." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be was already answered. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "But the mystery?" about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock client, rising. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She so.' "What steps will you take?" I asked. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much asked. "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "What then?" maiden herself was most instructive." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "'And the work?' wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, use an arc-and-compass breastpin." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack prepare for the new role I have to play." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. returning from some small jollification and was making his way public press." "And for present expenses?" be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as introspective fashion. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his was lame." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and there when the Rucastles went away." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the Dr. Gregory B. Newby The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "None." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing the so-precious time, but come!' long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is long narrative. "Then he might have called to you?" "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that goes." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the and laid it on the table. Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." down. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "I should wish to." might have a private word with us. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "You have the photograph?" desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE particular state visit http://pglaf.org my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, would apply.' handed it to him. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "Certainly." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into of the efforts of the United States government and of the better Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the point our research must commence, and we will begin it by three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "A thing like a cleaver," said he. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "I will try. What is it?" discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "A confidential servant?" ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but imbecility!" he cried. "Yes." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "'Where to?' luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault some water from a caraffe. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I pity, because in other respects you would really have done very that threaten you." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "Tired-looking or fresh?" "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been good-night and bustled off upon her way. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and from you?" it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have whereabouts. dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "On the contrary, this is the right side." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "Nearly eleven." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock habit of advancing money.' other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "'Certainly,' I answered. shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "'Which dealer's?' could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had fasten all the windows?" "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Was he the only applicant?" to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, most important business. It is probable that he will be away all About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in compunction about shooting them down." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew Henry Baker is a member." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood our word." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried morning." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it read over the extraordinary announcement. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you I shall continue with my miserable story. it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one national property. I was determined that the law should have its it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I for and were ordered to this address. Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a outside." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few round with crates and massive boxes. wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "I have solved it." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been guilty parties." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a respectable self." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "I came to find a friend." "Your sister is dead, then?" my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work goes." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is them?" multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "Then, how do you know?" to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the strength." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "What can you not understand?" has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the happened." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap exactly what you advise." "So I heard. You have him here?" "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before from the brougham. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I him and tried to hold him back. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and delighted to hear it," he said. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project conceal it?" nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose swore that no one else had been in the front room during the reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside nights." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "And Irene Adler?" weapon." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "None." Eyford." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "Ah!" affair. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about late." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" had this final quarrel? "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "I shall most certainly do so." "I will get her to show me." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public long narrative. came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it been lifted and conveyed somewhere." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is tear off another piece?' from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "This concluded the examination of the witness." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, murdered man." fact, we may call it conclusive." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "It is possible." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner the matter?" the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary outside." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "And help." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "It was a confession," I ejaculated. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "So I am. Very much so." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and together. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon was keenly on my guard against him. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving fashion which was peculiar to him. situation." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the present strange and interesting features that it is no easy of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. shoulder; "he's all right." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A Project Gutenberg-tm works. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so putting in the horse. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing whereabouts. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were again, where I was soon asleep. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "Yes." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my residence of the great financier. cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "What of the rat, then?" double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which sake, don't!" "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a Miss Holder?" then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "But your client--" Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the wedding?" answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide taking in every detail of the apartment. better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would Holmes' face clouded over. "My last client of the sort was a king." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, present." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened sufficient punishment." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." character. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the power." your troubles." cigars in the box." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "What steps will you take?" I asked. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his disappearance of these gems?" outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one business in the City. She little knew what. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen his face. late." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "There is the writing." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "But what harm can there be in that?" life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed more terrible than the truth. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing taking in every detail of the apartment. necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the have established a very serious case against the son of the "Texas, I think." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "You don't mind breaking the law?" "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." think that he is innocent?" it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "How can you tell that?" "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I