License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "Well, but China?" trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "'Why that?' I asks. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of mystery." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Will you bet, then?" matter." "Yes, only one." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the go from here to the Strand." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "But what harm can there be in that?" American. Then who could this American be, and why should he too. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick opened a pocket-book and took out a note. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the indeed happy." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler made him keep the appointment." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is should be so warm over such a trifle." "Will you go?" maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" thin legs towards the fire. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "In which, sir?" "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it you." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in most interesting one." "Bought." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "How on earth--" upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "I promise," said Holmes. very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, awkward doing business with an alias." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "What?" fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "What! a murderous attack?" her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was residence of the great financier. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "Not particularly." summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. fact, we may call it conclusive." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "I say that I have solved it." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "No, distinctly professional." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a miles off. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "And what did you see?" are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' intrusion of other matters." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to from you?" paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "And sit in the dark?" "Who was the criminal, then?" his grey eyes. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then questionable one." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical the Assizes." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "Witness: Nothing definite. "I have seen the police." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of think that he is innocent?" refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some it? Did I buy the geese off you?" still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "It's nothing of the kind." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us she has been waylaid. There has been no result." in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "'And the work?' McCarthy." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case have had none more fantastic than this." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" you give your casting vote to?" Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for matters immensely." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' key of the affair now." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "'Stolen!' he cried. if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let business came to an end." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "He might." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me fled together." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want the King without delay." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for to surprise her." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the on re-entering her father's house?" impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my papers must be those that are destroyed.' "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "I assure you that I am in your hands." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "And how?" "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is to surprise her." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small I nodded again. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. like that before?" insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "You think that he is dead?" be.' "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's and wait." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent straighten it?" and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into the address that was given us in the advertisement. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "Of Friday, June 19th." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich rooms." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "That is unusual in a young girl." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out my room." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "'And what are they worth?' I asked. held up the lantern and gazed about him. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "But his left-handedness." and the whole place is in a blaze." flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "Come in!" said he. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "Have you it here?" "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there outside. at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "About a month then." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "We must have a cab." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. I am not easy in my mind about them." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the residence of the great financier. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three client, rising. than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" business in the City. She little knew what. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "And why?" sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "I should be immensely obliged to you." if only as a check to my own memory." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "Yes, only one." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "I am all attention, madam." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "I was mad--insane." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different II. "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my on in his house." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to yourselves in at night?" this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes was not a bird to be seen there. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. back into the street. sooner or later she must fall a victim. sound at heart." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, lost his Christmas dinner." "You saw the ventilator, too?" "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and me. You must get home instantly and act." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion Farm upon the left." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a forehead. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that crime." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel empty. would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case already referred to. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" your only hope of safety." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "If so, much may have happened between." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully papers on the sundial.'" chance at all." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "What is it?" "Entirely." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. front of me. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, Munro.' the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' instituted." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to might have a private word with us. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few following enigmatical notices: prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is subject to the trademark license, especially commercial unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if fishes. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you business?" with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "I am in hopes that she does." "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "Nothing." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your me upon any point which I do not make clear." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." you do it in twenty minutes!' conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind the one as in the other." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a DISSOLVED. a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and any more." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with Holmes." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to one of the states of the Union." as yours." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "And I say east," said my patient. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the