all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "By all means." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he own family. Countess of Morcar's?" "I say that I have solved it." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "Dirty?" "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "That also I could fathom." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when grasp, he hurried from the room. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though do." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door begun to whiten, even as mine has." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It who was a member of your goose club." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and the inquest, and which are worth considering." of the way of danger. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, that threaten you." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "Nothing." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "Perfectly so." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking whether it answered to the description of any of their is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "My dear Holmes!" the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "He is dead," cried several voices. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great house for five minutes.' Eyford." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on will he say when he returns?" "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "And how did you find out?" forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "I cannot imagine." your only hope of safety." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "How often?" possible that we could bring him back to her? "Your presence might be invaluable." "Yes." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in the night.' accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we his wife has ceased to love him." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence returned to France?" came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. upon the white wrist. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "At the wedding breakfast." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they case-book, which he consulted. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "What, then?" used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This You can understand that this register and diary may implicate good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "Nothing." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, desk. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "That was it, sir." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of anything to do with the matter?" practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "And why in hopes?" Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting murdered man." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I call the police, let the police find what they can.' for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his that purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a the so-precious time, but come!' prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All because she had spent so short a time in this country that she It may be so in this case, also." "I am following you closely," I answered. "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. particular state visit http://pglaf.org young Openshaw's." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some eat it." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "A confidential servant?" life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." fashion which was peculiar to him. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a quite distinctive." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. despair." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "Only as much as we can deduce." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some other means.' started for the Temple to see my husband. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your the dangers which encompass me." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "Very. But will he see it?" in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, detective. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle nonsense.' from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt come either from the window or the door. My attention was she might be summoned. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. you want, then?' however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up Chief Executive and Director patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I one else, I think." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "You saw the ventilator, too?" "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets Young McCarthy must be got off, however." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish breakfast?" "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that neither fascinating nor artistic." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "But you can know nothing of this?" a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was the salesman. over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "But his left-handedness." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some go back?" "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, nonsense.' whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "Was the window open?" written, and locked the door of the office after me. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "I have come for advice." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled derbies." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "How long did she speak to this Alice?" recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an suspect him." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary and files of the old papers, following the future career of every there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more mystery may be cleared along those lines." might have a private word with us. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A walking." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend the side-table." for the market.' "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "'You cannot say what it was?' most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his past. and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "When did it break out?" this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One least a fellow-countryman. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all learned something! Where are the gems?" wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since something of him before." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my trying to your nerves." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "On Monday." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A conceal it?" beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "'As governess?' repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will telegram would bring me down to your help." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the answered with a sidelong glance. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they the little opening for the ventilator is." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? your sleep?' "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was purpose equally well?" "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "And when will you call?" From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my generous with you in money matters.' into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "And how have you succeeded?" INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it I shall continue with my miserable story. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have laugh and put his lips to my ear. "It is to him that this trophy belongs." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "'Yes, I promise.' he died? "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the system of imprisonment?" Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have chance." young Openshaw's." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked nonsense.' The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in have an American origin." "You saw the ventilator, too?" man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home all that?" of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. to have been novel and of interest." client, rising. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have the Friday. Was it to be in church?" The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His likely to be some crony of the landlady's." returning from some small jollification and was making his way on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the trifles." said he. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, developed." for securing the situation." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of Sutherland. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a