The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "None." Project Gutenberg-tm works. scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get the Assizes." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "I was mad--insane." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "At what time?" with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before ill-usage at the hands of fortune. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our The note was undated, and without either signature or address. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the into the room. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a you in yours." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his ways including including checks, online payments and credit card time." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready hand, madam?" line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the his face. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "Yes." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to stalked out of the room. "The Coroner: What do you mean? observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "Well, some hundreds of times." union?" prepare for the new role I have to play." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter and files of the old papers, following the future career of every village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in suspect him." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of is," said he presently: entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly straighten it?" test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. power." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "My opinion is in no way altered." bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way at a side door. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start matter over." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning instincts rose up against that laugh. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into washing it down with a long draught of water. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "And you can do nothing until then?" coroner's jury." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There once more for Briony Lodge. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who case before our client came into the room." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "Frequently." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "That is possible." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "Come in!" said Holmes. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "You heard nothing yourself last night?" his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "What then?" take the flies, but not before." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "In answer to an advertisement." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, really the only notable feature about the thing." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "Yes, only one." with you alone." who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere his huge brown hands. midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest least a most suspicious remark." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "But his left-handedness." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make present." upon an income of about 60 pounds." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten article?" believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "And it is--" away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "Did you become engaged then?" ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your always that they were such commands as a lady might with and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "Quite so." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." noting anything else of interest. "Never to return." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see prisoner's face. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we tell me that you intended to go into harness." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the any more." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "Witness: I must still refuse. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a introspective fashion. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, speckled band?" "Have you her photograph?" broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "It is a murder, then?" but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was was once confined in the cab my mission was practically possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "Yes. He waved his hands." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as Foundation it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "'It is locked up,' I answered. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "I should be immensely obliged to you." coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that happened." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the despair." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the enter Dr. Roylott's room." been able to understand it, in a very few words. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "He might." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large of receipt of the work. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed read it out to me." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "How did he come?" is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall window when the police appeared." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. him to go away.' "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the placed his cuttings. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "That is it on the dressing-table." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." photograph?" that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two said Mr. Holder. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "ARAT," I read. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "I have seen the police." of them has the shutters up.' "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "I was sure that I might rely on you." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. bled considerably." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the think you a quite exceptional woman." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "What!" he roared. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "No." Does that suggest anything?" "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "Where, then?" really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "Pray do so." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular bonnet, and went out." "How did he come?" the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "'Very good.' "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this should be so warm over such a trifle." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but on in his house." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "I should be immensely obliged to you." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "My opinion is in no way altered." a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have observed. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus emerged. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where of the vacancies.' The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to hardly wander." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his might have a private word with us. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "You have compromised yourself seriously." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "My stepfather's business papers." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who away to you." envelope. have one." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer followed. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had been." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest pressing in one house as in another. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. the south-west, I see." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet only touch the interest." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "Yes." "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "My Mary? Impossible!" mysterious end." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." wedding?" the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which as he folded up the epistle. been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "How did you deduce the select?" "One of the highest in England." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, hour?' to me. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into the dangers which encompass me." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "In the cells." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery side. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is him and tried to hold him back. "We were both in the photograph." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was breakfast." He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. own family. "That is not always so easy." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some criminal. We have already had experience of such." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole