the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge Leave Paddington by the 11:15." depend upon your compliance." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "Very. But will he see it?" "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was not personally threatened." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and again." besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "'Not at all. I only doubt--' gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you success. platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. house for five minutes.' really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "No." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said instituted." room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might meant it for the best. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before that the gas is not laid on in his house?" the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "I shall be delighted." unprofitable." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from orange pips. important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "I shall be delighted." "At the wedding breakfast." again before evening." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "No, I had a dozen." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, this Miss Turner." morning." were wasted." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they tail." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you disappearance of these gems?" a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End as the one I chose?' examine." "I should like to see him very much." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. said he. it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "And who is her maid?" he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few me. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, It was close upon four before the door opened, and a human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of of receipt of the work. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "If I can be of use." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of States. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so during the last few years, and there are many noble families to Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "'Then let me do so?' Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "My dear Holmes!" disturbance in my wife." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked everything which you would wish to know." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as have one." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. became a certainty. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "Have you her photograph?" solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." remarked. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, your billet.' "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out important." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward the coronet in his hands?" impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "But your client--" you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is now. It seems that there had been some informality about their see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "So I heard. You have him here?" sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "A thing like a cleaver," said he. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "I shall be delighted." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that himself to hunt down. "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "'Never,' said I. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and What do you deduce from it?" can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen most interesting one." are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "I assure you that I am in your hands." highroad, where all traces were lost. considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "What have you to say now?" drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and in the port of London." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "Look there!" said he. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." she used." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" maiden herself was most instructive." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's chemical work which was so dear to him. discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly success. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "No. His orders were to stay in the house." In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, placed his cuttings. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the purpose equally well?" delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. fattened it expressly for you.' that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you to-night's adventure." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address as he folded up the epistle. "And Miss Sutherland?" difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, just ask you whether you had heard it.' When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the introspective fashion. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." other, as fresh and trim as possible. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin already been minutely examined." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "And the murderer?" "My dear Holmes!" records." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for the dangers which encompass me." your only hope of safety." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. annoyance, but no jest. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I this unhappy family?" "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "'Quite sure, dad.' hurried away. the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. held up the lantern and gazed about him. "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly I shall communicate with you." the running down." may have an influence upon European history." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "Holmes, the busybody!" "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. Lee, in the county of Kent." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked directors have had misgivings upon the subject." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "Yes." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms I. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his him to be an active member of the medical profession." "Yes, only one." "The King of Scandinavia." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your telegram would bring me down to your help." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "Because he was handy and would come cheap." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "Yes. He waved his hands." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "He slept on the premises." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich breakfast and whispered something to her husband. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to address. "What, then, did Peterson do?" "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences in the hope of finding them." heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "I was certainly surprised to find you there." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, disappearance of the bride.'" You want to know what became of those geese?" upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "That is unusual in a young girl." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "But his left-handedness." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "Very. But will he see it?" the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me hurried by. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young that, and I came down." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his me. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, murdered man." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it points in connection with it which never have been, and probably carpenter." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt done what I asked you, Jones?" upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less with the outside air!" "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found our word." electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "What will you say?" the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among this poor creature." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the is a common subject for conversation. official police." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One events, Mr. Windibank!" Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and beg that you will break it off." money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "'And what are they worth?' I asked. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, Holmes' thin, eager face. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential shall use the carriage to-night." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The trying to your nerves." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "Not him." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "Whose house is it?" opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend how narrow had been my escape. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "She told me to ask you." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "Indeed! Whose, then?" when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of conclusions. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, about. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "'Where to?' he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which felt the room to be a little close.' "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in horse could go." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "I think that it is very probable." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "You saw the ventilator, too?" "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "Of what?" snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "Is he quiet?"