much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am the house with me." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, is so. I know all about McCarthy." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, III. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." that I may have something better before very many minutes are standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had ways including including checks, online payments and credit card son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but triumphant cloud from his cigarette. than was visible to me." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and the coronet in his hands?" King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge think that he is innocent?" and all of them with the keenest interest. and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and individual and becomes the badge of a society." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added instincts rose up against that laugh. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would obstinate." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "And how did he make his money?" "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "And it is--" propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' very morning of my second wedding." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can his face which made him a very different person to the round, I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "Were they all fastened this morning?" all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both his cane at the bell-pull. said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "'And the work?' would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "'Yes, sir.' constraint." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is train.' "Very murderous indeed." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "It is very clear." "And leave your case unfinished?" "You did not overhear what they said?" bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had sooner or later she must fall a victim. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "His face fell immediately. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. thin, with a long, sharp nose?" Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to have established a very serious case against the son of the make me his representative both with the servants and with the lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were chance at all." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the will take you up to see the machine.' singular points about the case. What did the police think of the with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he village inn over there?" frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "Perfectly so." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "'I am sure that I do not know.' such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "This photograph!" address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the 1.E.9. I nodded again. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may at a side door. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, dates and names. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that Again Holmes raved in the air. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Very well, sir. And this stone?" mysterious business." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "It is a murder, then?" "My last client of the sort was a king." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such woven round him. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "That is it on the dressing-table." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary hopeless attempt at recovering them." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing putting in the horse. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the green of the new foliage. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat guilty parties." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "Who was the criminal, then?" experiences." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "Look there!" said he. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "'A dozen yards or so.' "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "How often?" "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "It is his hat." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the standing smiling on the door-step. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set very old mansion. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to DAMAGE. "Texas, I think." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the good-night and bustled off upon her way. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found you for a few hours?" have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the galvanised. fatally injured? "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt crime. "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. meanly of me." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "A greater distance to travel." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "A client, then?" seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first purpose equally well?" my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "Yes." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, Street. lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a perplexity from it to my illustrious client. something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** Countess of Morcar's?" heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "'Ample.' the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of learned something! Where are the gems?" pierced for earrings?" round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" dramatic, in fact." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "At the wedding breakfast." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously to change my dress. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't bell. Holmes whistled. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling him!" "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her opened the door, and slipped through. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the kindly on the shoulder. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "Not particularly." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "I have solved it." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "None." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a It may be so in this case, also." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "It surprised me." good-night and bustled off upon her way. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "None." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the purpose equally well?" shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is thought that she would have been so carried away." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the thirty. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from some mystery and the punishment of some crime." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I crime. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the highroad, where all traces were lost. behind me. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. not personally threatened." Mrs. Toller serenely. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "No, but the enclosure is." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "And now?" I asked. common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all which was all perfectly true. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he back into the street. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to so.' should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a redistribution. Where does the thing come from?' everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to happened." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there her also." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project had a long day." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "No good news?" Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United shoulder; "he's all right." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "And on what day did he meet his death?" you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "'Oh, no.' "Dirty?" The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could not fit the lock." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "Oh, yes, easily." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow digesting their breakfasts at home." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, and put his glass in his pocket. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the newspaper selections." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted observed. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making union?" ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "But you have hopes?" tell him that I know him to be innocent." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in But Holmes shook his head gravely. "And that is--" "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered October 9, 1890. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no singular points about the case. What did the police think of the silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, introspective fashion. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare whole matter to your consideration." be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be his face. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He