a good hundred miles off by now." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "And how in the world did you find them?" "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him now. It seems that there had been some informality about their present." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "What I expected to see." and it need not interfere very much with one's other space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile our word." your co-operation." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "It's nothing of the kind." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "Why did you beat the pavement?" bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest brain must have something in it." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we mystery." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite interests were the same as his." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but directors have had misgivings upon the subject." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something his wife has ceased to love him." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had only touch the interest." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "I don't say that. Perhaps." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now wedding?" step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "Dr. Becher's." afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I of note-paper. It read in this fashion: would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "No bad?" pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. carpenter." "Precisely." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "Two days later this same performance was gone through under distinguish the words: "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of little trying to do so much typewriting?" lips." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "Yes, sir." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an to you." Holmes' room. Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "The landlord of the Alpha." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "What have you to say now?" One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, some water from a caraffe. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "By all means." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should garden below. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "Proceed, then." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "Well?" the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told and your relations to her." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were would then never go into court at all." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "It was a confession," I ejaculated. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of back into the street. "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the away into the river." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a congenial hunt. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "The vanishing of the lady." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him Street. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all quite distinctive." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without to arrive at through this?" "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a What do you deduce from it?" feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special was a loud and authoritative tap. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "What then?" to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is there in twenty minutes." unclasping of his long thin hands. once more to my work. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. so.' had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "By no means." him!" His smile broadened. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "And your father? Did you tell him?" time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "'I shall certainly be there.' will find little credit to be gained out of this case." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the of Mr. Rucastle's." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. arrangements." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already that I can to serve you." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a him, that man would not have given me such complete information impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side which it had come upon my father." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you The police have openly confessed that they can at present make Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal power." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." door?" "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That disturbance in my wife." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the despaired of." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "You are hungry," I remarked. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who compunction about shooting them down." sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "Stolen." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for know all about it," he snarled. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be until night should bring an explanation. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' at a side door. stood on the top of it. marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words room had already been engaged for us. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "Well?" "It was an hour's good drive." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in whole matter to your consideration." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery golden eyeglasses. on re-entering her father's house?" swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had roused himself from his reverie. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough records." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to other means.' "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there your bag." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the as the one I chose?' "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and it." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." answer." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, the little opening for the ventilator is." there in twenty minutes." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that what do you think they found in the pockets?" King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." both be extremely obliged.' it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned stepfather?" when your master had gone out." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "No?" as he folded up the epistle. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the look upon these things in a different way." over part of the map. "What do you read?" Literary Archive Foundation receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now window when the police appeared." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon the bed, and you in that chair." the matter?" crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold open." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "And how did you find out?" glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and all-comprehensive glances. "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. congenial hunt. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared upon the white wrist. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a of fine shops and stately business premises that they really initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will once more. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim see a sister of mine apply for." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this said I. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "You horrify me!" which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "So it appears." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, crime." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk the so-precious time, but come!' Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter had a long day." "And what then?" my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one to change my dress. "'And what salary do you ask?' on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." Gutenberg-tm License. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice go--none." colonel looking down at me. How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "You don't mind breaking the law?" if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the politicians who had been sent down from the North. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much Does that suggest anything?" ago." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is him to be an active member of the medical profession." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an *** START: FULL LICENSE *** remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." status with the IRS. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a had a long day." is so. I know all about McCarthy." Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "It is his hat." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "I guessed as much." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "I have my revolver," said I. "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "'About the same.' only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the not within a twentieth part of the market price." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the pressing in one house as in another. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "Your presence might be invaluable." drawing your inferences." chamber." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it Farm upon the left." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have